Episode listing

Toei episode listing

The episode begins with a flashback of the destruction of Planet Vegeta at Frieza's hands, and Goku's growing up, as depicted in the original Dragon Ball. With no new battles to fight, Goku has been living a quiet life in the countryside with his wife Chi-Chi and their son Gohan. While at a reunion with his friends, Goku is visited by a warrior from space who refers to Goku as Kakarot. Who is this mystery warrior and why does he have a tail?

The mystery warrior reveals himself as Goku's older brother Raditz and tells Goku of his Saiyan history. Noticing Gohan is also a Saiyan, Raditz kidnaps Gohan in hopes of Goku joining him. Piccolo visits Goku to form an uneasy alliance with him to defeat Raditz. With the help of the Dragon Radar, they arrive at the location Raditz is holding Gohan hostage and begin their fight with Raditz. After hitting Goku and Piccolo with a quick attack, he then informs them that there are two more Saiyans that are much stronger than him. Can Goku and Piccolo win?

The battle against Raditz continues with Raditz effortlessly beating both Goku and Piccolo. Piccolo reveals to Goku that he has developed a new technique that can help them defeat the Saiyan, the Makankōsappō or "Light of Death" but he needs Goku to distract Raditz while he (Piccolo) charges the attack. After seeing his father injured in battle, Gohan breaks out of Raditz’s space pod attacks his “uncle” severely injuring him. With Goku holding Raditz in place Piccolo hits both of them with his new attack. Before dying, Raditz reveals that two more Saiyans will be arriving to Earth in a year, Vegeta and Nappa. The episode ends with Goku passing away.

Kami takes Goku along with his body to the afterlife. Bulma takes Raditz's scouter in order to repair it and find Yamcha and Tien. Piccolo takes Gohan into his custody and flies off, intending to train the boy in the martial-arts. In the after-life, Kami arranges for Goku to be allowed to travel to King Kai's planet via the snake road. While Goku starts his journey along the road, Krillin unsuccessfully attempts to tell Chi Chi of her husband's death and her son's kidnapping. Meanwhile, Piccolo tells Gohan of his father's fate and demonstrates to Gohan the power that the boy possesses by throwing him at a rock, which Gohan destroys reflexively.

Gohan's survival training begins. After a length of time spent alone on a mountaintop, Gohan sees the moon, which causes him to transform into a giant ape. Rather than let him rampage unchecked, Piccolo destroys the moon, making any further transformations impossible, and removes his tail, before leaving to begin his own training. Meanwhile, Bulma repairs the scouter, and Yajirobe delivers a summons to Krillin, telling him that he, Krillin, Yamcha, Tienshinhan and Chiaotzu are all to report to Kami's lookout for training.

Six months after Gohan's recovery of the giant ape incident, he passes his survival training and starts his training with Piccolo. Meanwhile, Goku has arrived at the end of the Snake Way, meeting Kaio. He realizes that the gravity of Kaio's planet is 10 times that of planet Earth, thus needs to get used to it. Back on Earth, Krillin, Yamcha, Tienshinhan, Chiaotzu and Yajirobe begin their training with Kami. Back on Kaio's planet, in order for Goku to train under Kaio's teachings, he must attempt to make the master laugh. After Goku's accomplishment of making him laugh, Kaio tells him to catch his monkey, Bubbles. Having Bubbles run around the planet, Goku must run on the planet with 10 times his weight.

Three weeks have passed and Goku successfully manages to capture Bubble. Meanwhile on Earth, Gohan continues to train progressively with Piccolo. Back on Kaio's planet, Kaio gives Goku another task: Hit the speedy insect Gregory with a mallet. Two weeks later, Goku manages to hit Gregory. Back on Earth, Krillin, Yamcha, Tienshinhan, Chiaotzu and Yajirobe have completed their training with Kami. They then go their separate ways to prepare for the Saiyans' arrival. Now Goku starts his real training with Kaio, but will it be enough to beat the Saiyans that are getting closer to Earth by the minute?

The Saiyans have almost reached earth and as the Z Fighters continue training, King Kai realizes he has made a fatal error : he forgot to include the time it would take for Goku to return to earth during his training meaning that it will take Goku 2 days to return to earth and with the Saiyans arriving tomorrow things are looking bleak. After telling his friends to call upon Shenron, Goku is wished back to life and begins his journey back down Snake Way. The next day, the Saiyans arrive and announce their arrival by the destruction of West City!

The Saiyans have arrived on earth and set out to find the strongest power levels on the planet. The remaining Z - Fighters gather to meet the threat and are greeted by a challenge : if they can beat the Saibamen then they will take on the Saiyans themselves! The Z Fighters agree and start off the "game" well. Yamcha is determined to fight and apparently manages to defeat one of the Saibamen until it gathers the last of its strength and detonates killing Yamcha! A furious Krillin swears revenge...

It is an uphill battle from the beginning, as the Earth’s fighters suffer their first blow from the Saiyans. As the stakes continue to increase, the heroes can only hold on for so long before taking desperate measures. Who will survive?

Goku fails to arrive within the three-hour reprieve and the battle with the Saiyans recommences. Goku finally reaches the end of the snake road and rushes to reach the battlefield. Sensing Goku's impending arrival, Vegeta decides to find the Dragon Balls on Namek instead, and orders Nappa to kill the remaining Z warriors. Nappa fires a Bomber DX at Gohan, but Piccolo jumps in the way at the last second to shield Gohan from the blast.

Piccolo dies from Nappa's ki blast, resulting in Kami's death and the destruction of Earth's Dragon Balls. Goku finally arrives at the battlefield just in time to save Gohan and Krillin. Goku engages Nappa in battle and it quickly becomes clear that Goku is the superior fighter. Realizing this, Vegeta finally decides to step into the fight.

Nappa steps down from his fight with Goku and sets his sights on Gohan and Krillin. Goku manages to stop Nappa by critically injuring him with the new Kaio-ken technique. Rendered completely useless to fight, Nappa is destroyed by Vegeta. Goku, who doesn't want his friends' corpses caught in the upcoming battle with Vegeta, talks Vegeta into switching locations for their fight. After they arrive at their destination, they begin their battle. Vegeta appears to have the upper hand in strength and speed, even against Goku's Kaio-ken. Realizing this, Goku decides to triple the power of the Kaio-ken. But will it be enough to take down Vegeta?

Goku, now with three times the power of the Kaio-ken, begins beating up Vegeta. However, using this much power puts a lot of strain on Goku's body. Enraged that he is being outclassed by a low-level Saiyan soldier such as Goku, Vegeta attempts to destroy the Earth with his Galick Gun attack. But Goku manages to stop it with four times the power of Kaio-ken and the Kamehameha technique. In a last ditch effort to beat Goku, Vegeta transforms into a Great Ape using the Power Ball in place of the full moon. With Vegeta now ten times stronger, does Goku have even the slightest chance of winning?

With Vegeta as a Great Ape, Goku decides that only a Spirit Bomb will be able to defeat him. Goku manages to gather enough energy for the Spirit Bomb, but he fails to use it on Vegeta due to Vegeta's increased power. Vegeta crushes nearly every bone on Goku body until Gohan and Krillin return to help Goku. Krillin attempts to cut off Vegeta's tail, but Vegeta's enhanced hearing allowed him to prevent that. All of a sudden, Vegeta's tail unexpectedly gets cut off by Yajirobe, who's been hiding all this time and Vegeta reverts back to normal. Gohan starts to fight Vegeta to protect Goku. Meanwhile, Goku lends Krillin all the energy he gathered for the Spirit Bomb so he can use it on Vegeta. Will Krillin succeed?

Krillin throws the Spirit Bomb at Vegeta and misses. Gohan rebounds it back at Vegeta, but he survives the hit. Gohan's tail suddenly grows back and he transforms into a Great Ape. Vegeta cuts Gohan's tail off in mid-air, but Gohan falls and lands on him. Vegeta tries to escape in his spaceship, but Krillin takes Yajirobe's sword and prepares to finish him off.

Before Krillin deals the final blow to Vegeta, Goku intercedes. He asks Krillin to allow his selfish Saiyan wants and let Vegeta live, as he wishes to train harder and challenge him again. Krillin reluctantly agrees and Vegeta leaves Earth. Master Roshi, Bulma, Chi Chi, and Korin fly to where Goku, Gohan, and Krillin are. They gather the bodies of their deceased friends and set off to the hospital. Krillin informs them that Kami is a Namekian, and that the planet Namek should have more inhabitants able to create Dragon Balls. After brainstorming on how to get there in a reasonable amount of time, they realize that Nappa's capsule is still a working vessel. Bulma decides to run it through some tests and see if it's still viable.

Goku, Krillin, and Gohan are in the hospital recovering from the battle with Vegeta. Their friends and family come visit. When the television is turned on, they see a report about Nappa's space pod. Bulma, thinking she's pressed the button that will have it fly towards them, instead self-destructs the pod. Before everyone gives up hope, Mr. Popo arrives, and tells them that he knows of another spaceship. It's the Namekian ship that Kami used to come to earth when he was a boy. Bulma reluctantly agrees to inspect it up in Yunzabit Heights with him. They realize the craft is voice-activated in the native Namekian language. Bulma converts the language to English in a few weeks with Gohan and Krillin deciding to accompany her on her journey to Namek in search for the Dragon Balls.

While on their journey to Namek, Gohan and Krillin practice image training. Meanwhile, Vegeta has landed on Planet Frieza No. 79, and after being revived, heads to Namek to collect the Dragon Balls once Kui tells him Frieza is currently there. After 30 days aboard Kami's old spaceship, Bulma, Krillin, and Gohan arrive on Namek. Bulma uses her scouter and notices that four of the seven Dragon Balls are together already. Gohan senses evil ki, but Bulma reassures them that the Namekians probably are the ones who have them. They notice Vegeta's space pod fly overhead and land in the distance, along with a second space pod shortly after. Vegeta isn't too thrilled to find out Zarbon and Dodoria are also accompanying Frieza.

Frieza continues to collect the Namekian Dragon Balls, while Vegeta slaughters Kui. Meanwhile, Krillin and Gohan battle more of Frieza's minions, but not before they destroy the spaceship they used to reach the planet. Back on Earth, Goku is finally healed, thanks to Korin's new batch of Senzu beans, and he prepares to journey towards Namek.

Goku arrives at Capsule Corp. where Dr. Briefs has prepared a spaceship for him to travel to Namek in six days, as well as train. Goku begins to train at 20G as he takes off for Namek. Meanwhile, the Namekians begin to fight back against Frieza's men, however Zarbon proves too powerful. Discovering that their people are being located via their scouters, the Namekians destroy the scouters. Dodoria filled with rage, rushes into the fray to make the locals regret the day they ever crossed Frieza

Krillin and Gohan save a young Namekian boy from Dodoria's attack. The three fly away and manage to hide from the pursuing Dodoria, who is soon after attacked by Vegeta. The two fight briefly. Dodoria begs for his life, offering to tell Vegeta the true story of his home planet's destruction. Vegeta releases Dodoria from his grip, and Dodoria reveals that it was Frieza who destroyed Planet Vegeta out of fear for the Saiyan race's potential. Vegeta is furious at being lied to and being used by Frieza, and kills a fleeing Dodoria.

Zarbon wonders why Dodoria hasn't returned, but Frieza is unconcerned. Vegeta, using his new earthbound abilities, senses Gohan, Krillin, and Dende in the distance. Gohan and Krillin lower their ki enough to avoid being detected further, but Dende doesn't know how to. Before Vegeta can home in on Dende's power, a giant Namekian fish appears, giving Vegeta the thought that it was the source of ki he detected. He later comes across a village of 20 or so Namekians, and demands to be given the Dragon Ball. When the elder Namek of the village denies him the dragon ball, Vegeta slays all the Nameks and finds the dragon ball in one of the huts. He then proceeds to throw it in a nearby lake so that Frieza and his men cannot find it. He then proceeds to look for the remaining stray Dragon Ball. Meanwhile, Krillin and Gohan realize that Vegeta's about to head to the Eldest Namek's Spire, so they fly to that location.

Krillin and Dende continue their trek toward the Eldest Namek's hut, while Vegeta begins battling Frieza's right-hand man Zarbon. Vegeta appears to be winning when Zarbon reveals a transformation that powers him up immensely, shifting the battle in his favor. Meanwhile, King Kai tells Goku that Chiaotzu, Tien, Piccolo and Yamcha have arrived at his world to receive training, much as Goku did when he died. After learning that Frieza is the tyrant terrorizing planet Namek, King Kai warns Goku to stay away at all costs.

Krillin and Dende arrive at the Eldest Namek's location - a conspicuous tower out in the open, and are greeted by Nail, one of the strongest Namekians. Guru speaks with them about the Dragon Balls, his ailing health, and the need for help to his Namekian children. He reads Krillin's past through Telepathy where he learns of the history of Kami; of how Piccolo is the evil shed from Kami in order for Kami to become a god. He also learns that Krillin's intentions are pure, and that he has dormant power; which he awakens. Krillin's power increases dramatically and he asks Guru if Gohan can have his dormant power awakened, to which Guru replies yes. Meanwhile, Zarbon reports to Frieza saying how he defeated Vegeta, even though he didn't find his corpse. Frieza condemns him when he thinks Vegeta has a Dragon Ball hidden, so he sends Zarbon to fetch him and bring him back to the ship to heal. Zarbon finds Vegeta and puts him in a recovery chamber. Frieza has a premonition of losing to a Saiyan, but not Vegeta.

Krillin arrives back at the Capsule House with a Dragon Ball. Unfortunately, Vegeta and Zarbon followed him, and quickly take to battling to decide who will be taking it. Meanwhile, Gohan heads toward the village Vegeta attacked, discovering that there is still a Dragon Ball there. Eventually, Zarbon (even in his powered-up state) is killed by Vegeta, and Gohan locates the Dragon Ball and begins heading back.

Krillin surrenders his Dragon Ball to Vegeta after Zarbon was killed, knowing he wouldn't stand a chance against him. While returning to his stashed Dragon Balls, Vegeta senses Gohan. Gohan also senses Vegeta, so he masks his ki and hides his newly found Dragon Ball. Vegeta eventually coaxes Gohan out but doesn't see the hidden Dragon Ball. Thinking he has all seven Dragon Balls, Vegeta lets Gohan live and takes off. After returning to the nearby Namek lake, Vegeta realizes Gohan had taken his hidden Dragon Ball and goes berserk. Meanwhile, Frieza is informed that the Ginyu Force will be arriving shortly and Goku continues his training at intense gravity levels.

Krillin takes Gohan to see the Eldest Namek to have his inner power released. However, Vegeta senses them while flying toward the hut, and confronts them. Nail, Guru's chief warrior and right-hand man, informs the trio of a powerful force approaching the planet. Vegeta knows it is the Ginyu Force, Frieza's 5 most elite henchmen. Reluctantly, Gohan and Krillin agree to use the Dragon Balls to make Vegeta immortal so that he can defeat them easier. They rush to retrieve the Dragon Ball they left with Bulma, and meanwhile, the Ginyu Force lands on the planet and meets up with Frieza. Meanwhile, Goku completes his training at 100x Earth's gravity on the way to Namek and discovers that his results are greater than he expected.

Vegeta, Krillin, and Gohan race to the remaining five Dragon Balls that Vegeta had hidden, in an attempt to grant Vegeta the wish of eternal life, in order to stand a chance against the Ginyu Force. The Ginyu Force beats them there, and with speed and a time freeze, swipe the two remaining Dragon Balls. Captain Ginyu takes the seven Dragon Balls to Frieza, and allows the other members to play Rock-Paper-Scissors to decide who gets to fight who. Recoome wins a fight with Vegeta and Guldo wins a fight with Krillin and Gohan. Krillin and Gohan fight Guldo first. After proving that they are no easy match for him, Guldo paralyzes the two with his ESP. Vegeta kills Guldo before any harm is done to the Earthlings, so Recoome decides he's next to fight. Meanwhile, Goku is ten minutes away from landing on Namek.

Vegeta begins battling Recoome, the big brute of the Ginyu Force. While the Saiyan prince manages to get in a few good blows, ultimately Recoome doesn't seem to be taking any pain. Gohan and Krillin enter battle after Vegeta becomes too badly injured to continue fighting, but quickly find themselves beaten and outclassed by the hulking Ginyu Force member as well. Meanwhile, Frieza attempts to use the Dragon Balls but nothing happens, prompting him to leave Ginyu to guard the balls while he himself goes to look for Namekians to tell him how to become immortal. Just when all seems lost in Vegeta, Krillin and Gohan's fight with Recoome, Goku's Capsule Corporation ship finally touches down on planet Namek.

Goku enters the battle after giving Senzu beans to Krillin, Gohan, and Vegeta, and things quickly take a turn for the better. Recoome, charging up a deadly attack, is defeated by a single blow from Goku. Jeice and Burter leap into battle trying a variety of techniques - none of which have the least bit of effect on Goku. Burter is knocked out by a few swift attacks from Goku, as Jeice stares in awe at his latest opponent - having never faced someone so powerful. Vegeta comes to suspect that Goku has become the first Super Saiyan in over 1000 years.

Goku tells Jeice to take the beaten Recoome and Burter and leave the planet forever. Jeice flees to Captain Ginyu and tells him what has happened. Ginyu has Frieza's men bury the Dragon Balls then sets out with Jeice towards Goku. Meanwhile, Vegeta kills Burter then Recoome. Also, Krillin and Gohan realize that Frieza is heading towards Elder Guru in order to obtain the password to summon the Namekian Dragon. Shortly after this, Ginyu and Jeice arrive to battle Goku. Goku tells Krillin and Gohan to leave. Vegeta tricks Goku and flies away, leaving Goku to fight alone. Goku and Captain Ginyu fight, and after a while Ginyu asks Goku to release his true power. Goku abides and begins to power up via the Kaio-ken.

Goku tells Jeice to take the beaten Recoome and Burter and leave the planet forever. Jeice flees to Captain Ginyu and tells him what has happened. Ginyu has Frieza's men bury the Dragon Balls then sets out with Jeice towards Goku. Meanwhile, Vegeta kills Burter then Recoome. Also, Krillin and Gohan realize that Frieza is heading towards Elder Guru in order to obtain the password to summon the Namekian Dragon. Shortly after this, Ginyu and Jeice arrive to battle Goku. Goku tells Krillin and Gohan to leave. Vegeta tricks Goku and flies away, leaving Goku to fight alone. Goku and Captain Ginyu fight, and after a while Ginyu asks Goku to release his true power. Goku abides and begins to power up via the Kaio-ken.

The beam Ginyu fired at Goku caused the two of them to switch bodies! Goku is now trapped in Ginyu's wounded body. Krillin and Gohan arrive at Frieza's ship and dig up the Dragon Balls, while Vegeta gets a fresh suit of armor. Ginyu, in Goku's body, and Jeice arrive back at the ship as well, but when Ginyu tries to power up his level is only 23,000, far less than the 180,000 level Goku had before. Realizing that great strength requires unity of mind and body, Goku (in Ginyu's body) arrives and shouts to Krillin and Gohan that they can easily defeat Ginyu. Vegeta kills Jeice, boasting that he is close to becoming a Super Saiyan.

After killing Jeice, Vegeta sets his sights on Ginyu (still in Goku's body.) Vegeta effortlessly pummels Ginyu, and an attempt by Ginyu to get Vegeta's body is thwarted by Goku who intercedes, leaving Ginyu back to his original body and Goku in his. Ginyu tries again to switch with Vegeta, but Goku throws a Namekian frog in the path, leaving Ginyu in the frog's body. Vegeta places Goku in a rejuvenation chamber inside Frieza's spaceship, gives armor to Krillin and Gohan, then falls asleep. Meanwhile, Nail continues to fight Frieza to stall for time. Nail reveals this to Frieza and Frieza becomes enraged. Frieza begins charging back towards his spaceship. Krillin, Gohan, and Dende take the Dragon Balls away from the ship and summon Porunga.

Porunga, the Namekian Eternal Dragon, is summoned. However Krillin, Gohan and Dende are met with some bad news when they discover that only one dead friend can be resurrected per wish! Piccolo communicates with the Earthlings, telling them to revive him and wish him to the planet Namek. When Dende speaks the first wish, Piccolo's halo disappears and Kami is resurrected on Earth, much to Mr. Popo's joy. The second wish is made, however, Piccolo is nowhere in sight. Dende tells them that they wished him to the planet Namek and not their specific location, however, so the third wish can be used to transport him to that particular spot. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worst. Vegeta is awakened by sensing the approaching Frieza's power, and quickly rushes to where the Earthlings are making their wishes. He threatens them for stealing his chance at immortality, though they accidentally reveal that there is one more wish left - which he would be able to use to get immortality. He tells Dende to make him immortal, and with Frieza fast approaching, Krillin reluctantly tells Dende to wish Vegeta immortal - stating that, if nothing else, he is at least better than Frieza. Before he can deliver the wish, however, the Eldest Namek dies, causing the Dragon Balls to stop working. Vegeta is outraged at the Earthlings since his chance for immortality has one again been foiled. His anger at the Earthlings doesn't last, however, since Frieza arrives at the battlefield at that very moment. The tyrant begins charging up, terrifying everyone but Vegeta who seems strangely calm. The entire planet begins to shake violently as Frieza summons his power - as Goku remains in the rejuvenation chamber, slowly recovering from the injuries his body had taken during the earlier Ginyu conflict.

Piccolo arrives on Namek following being resurrected and wished there. He begins rushing towards the battlefield, and along the way encounters an ailing Nail, on the brink of death. Piccolo reluctantly performs Namekian fusion with Nail, which increases his power substantially, and begins rushing back to the battlefield. Meanwhile, Frieza, after battling the Earthlings and Vegeta in his first form, transforms to his second form following some goading from Vegeta - and this increases the tyrant's power level to over a million! With his increased power, Frieza charges at Krillin in the air, impaling him on his horn.

After impaling Krillin, Frieza ejects him into the water. Gohan rushes to rescue his friend, but his path is blocked by the tyrant. Gohan's rage from seeing a friend in pain gets the better of him, and he immediately starts unloading on Frieza, much to Vegeta's surprise. As Gohan knocks Frieza out of the air, Dende saves Krillin from drowning and heals him (this was the power that Guru gave him.) Frieza charges towards Gohan to get his revenge, only to be blasted in the back by Vegeta - which to the Saiyan prince's disappointment, does absolutely nothing. Frieza begins thrashing Gohan, but is rescued by the healed Krillin, who distracts the tyrant with numerous attacks and escapades - just enough time for Dende to heal Gohan. Unfortunately, it becomes clear that Frieza outclasses them all, so the three warriors begin blasting him with everything they've got. Once again, it has no effect, but as they are about to charge him in their moment of desperation, Piccolo finally arrives on the battlefield, announcing that he will be the one to win the battle.

Armed with the combined power of Nail, Piccolo begins battling Frieza - and surprisingly manages to hold his own! The two exchange blows pretty evenly for a good portion of the fight. Piccolo eventually realizes Frieza slightly holds the upper hand, so he removes his weighted clothing and begins winning against the tyrant. Frieza finds himself backed into a corner, so he decides it is best to transform again to fight Piccolo. Becoming his grotesque, ugly third form, Frieza once again gains the upper hand and begins obliterating Piccolo with a rapid finger beam blast. Gohan rushes to rescue his mentor, and when Krillin tries to follow suit, Vegeta stops him - revealing to Krillin he may have a strategy that will allow him to defeat the tyrant.

Frieza dodges Gohan's attack but quickly finds himself on the receiving end once again - the young half Saiyan unleashes a massive energy blast that even the tyrant himself has difficulty deflecting! Upon seeing what he is up against in the form of these warriors who seem to be getting progressively stronger, Frieza begins transforming to his fourth form - the final and most powerful. Vegeta's plan to defeat Frieza involves having himself mortally wounded and then being healed by Dende - which the Saiyan prince achieves by having Krillin shoot an energy blast through his chest. Dende has no interest in healing Vegeta (who harmed so many of his people), however, and flies over to heal Piccolo instead. However, Nail's essence within Piccolo tells him that healing Vegeta may be the only way to win the fight - so Dende reluctantly does so. Frieza eventually reaches his final form, and immediately kills Dende with an energy blast - having witnessed his healing abilities while transforming. Krillin, Gohan, and Piccolo go on the attack but the tyrant dodges every single attack they throw his way. Vegeta watches them fight from a hill, preparing to charge up to his newfound power level as Gohan finds himself on a direct collision course with another one of Frieza's blasts.

Vegeta intervenes, using his newfound power and speed to rescue Gohan from Frieza's blast. While Gohan is grateful, Vegeta tells him he doesn't care about him and only did it as a demonstration of his abilities - now that he has declared himself a Super Saiyan. The Saiyan prince powers up to unbelievable levels of strength, which leave Gohan, Krillin, and Piccolo in awe - but no matter how much he powers up, and how many deadly attacks he dishes out, Frieza dodges and deflects everything. Vegeta quickly finds himself on the wrong end of the tyrant's attacks, and is quickly slaughtered. Gohan attempts to help but is stopped by Piccolo, who claims he wouldn't be able to do anything anyway. As Vegeta continues to get massacred by Frieza, Goku finally recovers, blasting his way out of the rejuvenation chamber and flying to meet his friends on the battlefield.

Vegeta is no match for Frieza and is quickly incapacitated. Piccolo, Gohan and Krillin are forced to stand idly by while Frieza continues to thrash the Saiyan prince. However, Goku arrives at the battlefield, and surprisingly, Frieza finds his appearance very familiar (this is because he resembles his father Bardock, who lead a lonely last stand in attempt to save Planet Vegeta.) An ailing Vegeta tells Goku to defeat Frieza, as he was the one who destroyed the Saiyan home world and their entire race. Mocking Frieza, telling him Goku really IS a Super Saiyan, the tyrant blasts him through the heart, giving him just seconds to live. Begging Goku to win the fight, Vegeta finally passes away. Goku quickly makes a grave and buries him, setting his sights on Frieza himself - preparing for his toughest battle yet.

Goku jumps into battle against Frieza, and quickly proves to be more of a challenge than Frieza thought. The two exchange powerful blows and discover their levels of strength are nearly equal. As our hero and the tyrant attempt to one-up each other, Gohan, Krillin, and Piccolo back away to watch the battle from a safe distance, while Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu watch from King Kai's planet in the afterlife. At one point during the battle, Goku is able to take advantage of Frieza's inability to sense another's presence, but Frieza counters this by trapping Goku in an exploding ball of energy that nearly kills our hero. However, Piccolo claims that even after all this, neither Goku nor Frieza is fighting at full power just yet.

Goku and Frieza's battle continues, with the two pretty evenly exchanging blows. However Goku is in for a shock when he discovers the tyrant has only been using 1% of his total power! Frieza boosts his power up to 50%, and Goku is quickly overwhelmed. The warriors on King Kai's planet aren't worried, because Goku supposedly is still wearing weighted clothing and hasn't used the Kaio-ken attack. Much to their dismay, King Kai informs them that Goku is no longer wearing weighted clothing and that he has been using the Kaio-ken the entire time! Meanwhile, Bulma meets Captain Ginyu (in a frog's body), and gets her body stolen. The two of them arrive at the battlefield where Goku and Frieza are continuing to duke it out - with Goku quickly outclassed by the powered-up tyrant.

Ginyu tries to steal Piccolo's body, but is foiled by Gohan who throws the frog body back in the way, restoring he and Bulma back to the way they were. Meanwhile, Goku continues to be thrashed by Frieza. However, he sees a vision of how Frieza could destroy everyone he loves - and as a result, he uses the 20x Kaio-ken alongside a massive Kamehameha against Frieza. However, even this is not enough to defeat the tyrant, and the use of the 20x Kaio-ken severely weakens Goku. He then has another vision, this time of Vegeta and other Saiyans of the past, including his father Bardock. Motivated once again, he gets back on his feet as Frieza lunges at him.

Despite his renewed confidence, Goku realizes he still has no prayer of victory against Frieza, who remains to be using only 50% of his full power. At this point, Goku decides to use his ultimate technique - the Spirit Bomb. With so little energy from living things left to absorb on Namek, Goku absorbs energy from neighboring worlds as well. As he tries to concentrate, Frieza continues to pummel him. Piccolo decides to intervene, taking what energy Gohan and Krillin have left. Before Frieza can obliterate Goku with a beam to the forehead, Piccolo stops him with a full-force kick to the head. The now-distracted Frieza goes after Piccolo, whose attacks do nothing to phase him. The Namekian is quickly floored by Frieza- as Goku continues charging the Spirit Bomb.

Goku completes the Spirit Bomb and hurls it down upon Frieza. The tyrant manages to catch it, but is unable to stop it from exploding on him. The Z Fighters celebrate their apparent victory and start making plans to return to Earth. However, Frieza reappears and, though badly damaged from the Spirit Bomb, he is still powerful enough to take them all out. Frieza fires a beam straight at Goku, but Piccolo jumps in the way and takes the beam to the chest, which knocks him unconscious. Frieza next sets his sights on Krillin and causes his body to explode from the inside, killing him. Enraged by the loss of his best friend, Goku undergoes a radical transformation in which his eyes turn green, his hair turns blonde, and his body is surrounded in an aura of golden light. With his powers now greatly enhanced, Goku orders Gohan to take Piccolo and Bulma to his spaceship and leave Namek, while he handles Frieza.

The transformed Goku renews his battle with Frieza and proves to now be far superior to Frieza's power. Frieza launches several counter-attacks at Goku, but they have no effect at all. As the tyrant stares in awe at his more-powerful opponent, he realizes that his worst nightmare has finally come true - the legendary Super Saiyan has been born. In a desperate attempt to defeat Goku, Frieza hurls an attack down upon Namek itself, in an effort to destroy the planet and everyone on it.

Frieza's attack detonates the planet's core and he claims that Namek will explode in five minutes. Super Saiyan Goku is confident that he can defeat Frieza within that time, however, Frieza then decides to power up to 100% of his full power. Much to King Kai's amazement, Goku allows Frieza to reach his full power, wishing to defeat the tyrant at his best. Meanwhile, Gohan drops off the injured Piccolo at Goku's spaceship and goes to find and pick up Bulma, succeeding just seconds before she is crushed to death by fallen rocks.

As the epic battle between Goku and Frieza rages on the dying planet Namek, King Kai is informed by Kami on Earth that Mr. Popo has gathered all seven Dragon Balls. Upon learning of the Earth's Dragon Balls' ability to resurrect multiple people in their single wish, King Kai asks that they be used to bring back to life all those on Namek who were killed by Frieza and his minions, thus also bringing back Guru (whose natural death was hastened just slightly by all the suffering Frieza had caused his planet), as well as the Namekian Dragon Balls, which still have one more wish to be used. King Kai plans to use this final wish to teleport everyone on Namek to Earth except for Frieza, leaving the tyrant to be the only one present when Namek explodes. Mr. Popo then summons Shenron and fulfills King Kai's first wish.

Shenron succeeds in resurrecting everyone killed by Frieza and his henchmen on Namek (including Vegeta and Dende), and Guru and the Namekian Dragon Balls are also brought back. King Kai immediately contacts Guru and quickly informs him of the situation. Guru then sends Dende to Porunga and use the final wish to teleport everyone on Namek to Earth except Frieza. However, Goku requests that he remain on Namek as well, so he can finish Frieza for good. Porunga fulfills this wish and teleports everyone to Earth except Goku and Frieza. The two combatants then prepare themselves for the final round before Namek's explosion.

As the battle continues, it seems neither warrior is going to win before Namek's explosion. However, Goku soon notices that Frieza's power is quickly decreasing, due to the protracted battle wearing him out. Satisfied that he has won, Goku decides to call it quits and begins to depart towards his spaceship. Unable to accept this, Frieza launches a pair of heat-seeking energy disks at Goku. The Super Saiyan manages to avoid this, however, and eventually Frieza is sliced in half by his own attack.

On Earth, Guru finally passes, but before his death, he gives his power to the Namekian Moori, making him the new Elder. Meanwhile, on Namek, the dying Frieza begs for mercy from Goku. Despite his better judgement, Goku cannot ignore Frieza's pleas for help and gives the tyrant some of his own energy before departing. However, Frieza lets his pride get the better of him and unleashes one final energy blast at Goku, but the Super Saiyan easily repels the blast right back at the tyrant and seemingly destroys Frieza. Goku then attempts to escape in Frieza's spaceship, but is unable to make it take off. Namek finally explodes and it appears that Goku perishes along with it.

Following Namek's destruction, King Kai informs Bulma and the others on Earth of Goku's apparent death, and that even though the Namekian Dragon Balls can resurrect Goku and Krillin, they will be brought back to where Namek used to be and die again. However, Vegeta comes up with the idea of using the Dragon Balls to first bring Goku and Krillin's souls to the Earth's check-in station in the afterlife. 130 days later, the Namekian Dragon Balls are re-active, and the first two wishes are used to successfully revive Krillin, but it is revealed that Goku is still alive and that he will return to Earth on his own later. Yamcha is then brought back to life with the third wish. Another 130 days later, the Namekian Dragon Balls are used to revive both Tien and Chiaotzu, and are then used to teleport all of the Namekians (minus Piccolo) to a new planet. The Z Fighters then return to their peaceful lives; waiting patiently for Goku to return.

A year has passed and still Goku has not returned to Earth. However, it is revealed that Frieza managed to survive his battle with the Super Saiyan, has been rebuilt into a cyborg by his father King Cold, and is heading towards Earth, intending to exact revenge on Goku. The rest of the Z Fighters gather to defend the Earth from Frieza, despite knowing that they don't stand a chance without Goku. However, as soon as Frieza, King Cold, and their army of soldiers arrive on Earth, they are met by a mysterious teenager wielding a sword, who claims that he's come to kill them.

The mysterious teenager easily takes out Frieza's soldiers, then surprises Frieza by transforming into a Super Saiyan. The evil tyrant attempts to destroy this second Super Saiyan, but has no success. Eventually, the teenager slices Frieza into pieces with his sword, before blasting him away. King Cold tries to defeat the Super Saiyan himself, but is also easily destroyed. After reverting to his normal state, the teenager spots the Z Fighters and claims that Goku will be arriving nearby soon. Despite their skepticism, the Z Fighters agree to join him in awaiting Goku's arrival.

After three hours of waiting, a space pod crash lands on Earth and Goku emerges from it. There is no time for celebration, however, as the mysterious teenager pulls Goku aside to talk with him in private. After testing Goku's Super Saiyan powers, the teenager reveals that his name is Trunks and that he comes from an apocalyptic future 20 years from the present, as well as that he is the future son of Bulma and Vegeta. He further informs Goku that in three years from now, a pair of deadly androids, built by Dr. Gero of the former Red Ribbon Army, will begin a rampage on Earth and kill all of the Z Fighters, except for Goku, who will die from a heart virus six months before their assault. Trunks then supplies Goku with a heart antidote that Future Bulma made for him, instructing him to take it when the virus attacks him. Goku promises that he and the other Z Fighters will train hard for the next three years to prepare for the androids' assault, and Trunks then returns to the future in his time machine.

Vegeta asks Goku how he managed to survive Namek's destruction. Goku then explains that just seconds before Namek exploded, he found one of the Ginyu Force's space pods and used it to escape. He further explains that he eventually landed on Planet Yardrat and was nursed back to health by the friendly inhabitants of the planet. He also reveals that he learned from them a special teleportation technique called Shunkan Ido. The Z Fighters then go their separate ways to each begin preparing themselves for the androids' assault. After three years of intense training, they all head off to meet on the island that Trunks informed Goku where the androids will begin their attack.

The Z Fighters (plus Bulma with a young Trunks) gather at the island in anticipation of the androids' attack. However, as the time approaches, Gohan reasons that due to being artificial humans, their enemies have no readable ki and can therefore only be found visually. The fighters then descend into the nearby city to search out their enemies. After a period of searching, Yamcha becomes the first victim of the androids, after being impaled and having his energy absorbed by Android #20. The others arrive just in time to save him, and Goku eventually persuades the androids to move to a new location to fight after a large portion of the city is destroyed.

As Goku, Piccolo and Tien take the androids to a new location to battle, Krillin revives Yamcha with a sensu bean. However, once Yamcha reveals the androids' ability to absorb energy, the three of them (Yamcha, Krillin and Gohan) head off to warn the others. Meanwhile, it is revealed to Goku that the androids are a result of years of research conducted by Dr. Gero, in which miniature spy robots were used to analyze Goku's fighting techniques and developments in strength, all in an attempt to exact revenge on Goku for destroying the Red Ribbon Army. As a battles ensues between Super Saiyan Goku and Android #19, it becomes evident that Goku is losing the upper hand, especially once the android absorbs Goku's Kamehameha wave. Gohan then reveals that Goku never became sick from the heart virus (as was predicted by Trunks), and that it seems to have affected him six months later than planned. As Goku struggles to fight, the android prepares to finish the battle by absorbing Goku's remaining energy.

Before Android #19 can finish draining Goku's energy, Vegeta finally arrives, saving Goku by kicking the android in the face. Yamcha then escorts Goku away from the battlefield. Vegeta then squares up to the androids, and much to everyone's surprise, transforms into a Super Saiyan. It is revealed that whereas Goku's transformation was triggered by the desire to protect his friends and family, Vegeta's was triggered purely by the desire to become stronger, as well as his anger at being surpassed by Goku. The battle then begins, and it's clear that Vegeta has the edge over Android #19. Even the android's energy absorption attack proves futile, as Vegeta tears off the android's arms, making the technique impossible to use. As the android runs in fear, Vegeta launches his 'Big Bang Attack' and finishes the battle, leaving nothing but the android's head intact. Android 20 then escapes into the nearby cliffs, planning to use the terrain to launch a surprise attack on the fighters.

The Z Fighters split up to search the area for Android #20. Frustrated at his enemy's deceptiveness, Vegeta fires a large ki blast at the cliffs, planning to level the area. Seeing this opportunity, Android #20 emerges from his hiding place, only to absorb Vegeta's blast and run away before Vegeta can catch up. He then attacks Piccolo from behind and begins to drain his energy, although this is thwarted by Gohan, who senses Piccolo's fading ki and attacks the android. After receiving a senzu bean, Piccolo then faces off against his attacker, and proves to be more than a match for the android. Meanwhile, Trunks finally returns from the future, and is disturbed to find that the remains of Android #19 are different from the androids that he faced in his own timeline. He then arrives at the current battlefield, and also seems not to recognize Android #20. Realizing that he has no chance of victory, Android #20 decides to retreat to his laboratory, but not before launching a huge blast that engulfs most of the area - including Bulma's ship, which plummets towards the ground.

As the dust settles, Android #20 is nowhere to be seen, and it is assumed that he plans to return to the laboratory and awaken Androids #17 and #18 - the androids causing havoc in Trunk's timeline. Meanwhile, Trunks rescues his mother and young self, and berates Vegeta for failing to protect his family. Bulma then reveals that Android #20 may actually be the androids' creator, Dr Gero, who has seemingly converted himself into one as well. The group then plan to find the lab and destroy the androids before Dr Gero can activate them. Vegeta also sets off to find the lab, but with the intentions of fighting the androids as a demonstration of his power. Trunks leaves to stop his father, while Piccolo finally unveils the truth of Trunk's origin to the rest of the group. Meanwhile, Piccolo, Krillin and Tien split up and search the mountains where Dr Gero's lab is rumored to be located, while Gohan takes Bulma, baby Trunks and Yajirobe to Goku. Meanwhile, Krillin is attacked by the doctor, but is spared when Gero senses Piccolo nearby and escapes.

Dr Gero finally makes it to his laboratory, with Krillin in hot pursuit. Tien, Piccolo, Vegeta and Trunks soon locate him and break into the lab, although by this point Dr Gero has already awakened Androids #17 and #18. Although initially appearing loyal, the duo demonstrate their independence when Android #17 destroys Gero's remote, ensuring that he cannot deactivate them should they disobey him, and Android #18 attempts to activate Android #16 - a fully mechanical model deemed a failure by Dr Gero. Android #17 then kills Dr Gero, by severing and then crushing his head. In an act of desperation, Trunks launches a large ki blast at the androids, hoping to destroy Android #16 before he is activated. Although the entire lab is decimated, both Androids and #16's pod remain intact, and he is awakened anyway. The trio then decide to carry out there initial orders, and set out to kill Goku. However, their plans are disrupted when Vegeta intervenes, challenging the three androids to a battle. After Android #16 refuses to fight, Android #18 steps up to face Vegeta.

Android #18 fights with Vegeta in Super Saiyan mode and wins easily. First Trunks tries to help Vegeta but gets taken down with one hit and the others also get beaten down effortlessly, except Krillin who stays behind and watches the horror. After the fight, Androids #16,#17,#18 leave but before they do #18 kisses Krillin on the cheek. Krillin then goes and feeds everyone Senzu Beans. Trunks explains how these androids are much stronger than the ones back in his world. Vegeta flies off in anger having being beaten.

Trunks explains how the Androids back in his world were different. The Androids in this world were much more stronger but they seem to be less cruel and also there wasn't an Android #16. Piccolo flies off to try and convince Kami to fuse with Piccolo as it is the only way to stop the androids however Kami believes that the androids are not all that evil and that the only reason they battled against them was because they fought with them first. Kami then decides to wait and see what happens as Piccolo sits down waiting until Kami agrees to merge with him.

Bulma receives a phone call about one of her company's products from Capsule Corporation. She is sent a photograph of what appears to be Trunks' time machine that he traveled in. Trunks investigates this with the others only to discover that it is the exact time machine that he came in but three years later in his world. He recognizes it because of the word 'Hope' that Bulma wrote on the time machine. Kami realizes that the evil he felt four years ago wasn't the androids but it was the monster that traveled back in the time machine.

Trunks, Gohan, and Bulma are investigating the other time machine when Gohan notices a strange shell that has been cast off by an unknown creature. On the way back to her house, Bulma watches a news broadcast about thousands of people in nearby Gingertown who have inexplicably disappeared, as if they simply melted away in their clothes. Kami also watches in horror as the people are killed, and finally decides to merge with Piccolo. After the merging, Piccolo states that he is neither Piccolo nor Kami anymore, but a Namekien "who has long since forgotten his name." He departs from the lookout and arrives at an empty, ghostly-quiet Gingertown, where the monster steps out of the shadows to confront him.

While staring down Piccolo, the monster pierces the man he'd been dragging and appears to absorb him, leaving only his clothing. The others are confused, claiming to detect ki readings Frieza, Vegeta, and Goku (even as he sleeps just meters away). Krillin and Trunks head toward Gingertown, where Piccolo and the monster begin fighting. Piccolo has the advantage, but it surprised when the monster uses his own Makankosappo on him. The two exchange blows, and then the monster states that Piccolo only has the upper hand because he [the monster] has not yet reached his "perfect form." He then surprises everyone by powering up a Kamehameha and launching it point-blank. Piccolo's dodge leaves him open to the monster's follow-up attack, which he uses to trap Piccolo in a hold and pierce his arm. Piccolo manages to escape, but his left arm has been completely incapacitated. Sensing he has won, the monster states that his name is Cell and reveals that he is an android.

Sensing that he has defeated Piccolo, Cell explains that he was created from the cells of the greatest warriors--including Goku's, Piccolo's, Vegeta's, and Frieza's--as a project started by Dr. Gero and continued for 20 years by his computer. Cell furthermore reveals that by absorbing Androids 17 and 18, he will achieve his "perfect form." With the Androids destroyed in his own timeline, he was forced to travel to the present one in Trunks' time machine. Having learned Cell's identity and intentions, Piccolo regenerates his arm (deservedly calling Cell an idiot...) and prepares to attack. At this point, Trunks and Krillin arrive and Cell realizes he has no chance of winning. He surprises everyone by using the Taiyoken technique, and then flees. Vegeta and Tien arrive, and Piccolo explains everything he's learned. Meanwhile, Cell heads toward Nickytown to absorb more people, until his power exceeds that of the Androids'.

After Piccolo has finished explaining, Vegeta flies off stating that he wants to surpass the power of a Super Saiyan. Trunks and Krillin go to Dr. Gero's laboratory to destroy the incomplete Cell so he will not be born in their dimension mean-whilst Piccolo and Cell stay behind to search the surroundings. Trunks and Krillin arrive and blast the pile of rubble with their ki and discovers a ladder which leads underneath the laboratory into a room containing the computer and the incomplete Cell. They search around and discover the blueprints for Android #17 then after they make sure to destroy all of the laboratory and the basement. Krillin takes the prints to Bulma's house whilst Trunks decides to go and train with Vegeta. Krillin delivers the prints leaving Bulma and her father to start finding a weak spot on Android #17. Krillin taking a short-cut back to Master Roshi's house encounters Cell who is just about to absorb his next victims, arrives in the nick of time to save them. Krillin being no match for Cell, tells the civilians to escape, then uses the Taiyoken technique to blind Cell in an attempt to escape by grabbing on to a plane but Cell quickly recovers and jumps on top of the plane and starts attacking Krillin again. Just when it seems hopeless for Krillin, Piccolo and Tien arrive to save Krillin. Cell sensing their arrival flees while hiding his presence so no one can track him. 2-3 days later, the news continues to report about Cell's killings. Everyone decides to ride in a hovercraft to reach Cell so that he will not be able to sense them approaching him. Back at Kami's house there is a loud rumble causing Chichi to go and check on Goku but on arrival sees Goku is gone. She looks out of the window and sees that Goku is outside and that it was Goku making the loud noise by performing the Kamehameha technique. Goku tells Chichi that he has fully recovered of the illness and that he knows everything that is going on because he read everyone's minds whilst he was dreaming but says that he plans on training to surpass a Super Saiyan before going off to fight Cell.

Goku uses his instant transmission to take Gohan, Vegeta, Trunks with him to the Room of Spirit and Time. The room only has a capacity of two so Goku allows Vegeta and Trunks to go in first. Goku explains a years worth of training in that room is actually only one day in the outside world. When Trunks and Vegeta step inside the room, all they see is a vast amount of nothingness. While this is going on, the Androids arrive at Master Roshi's house and ask for Goku's whereabouts. Piccolo refuses to tell them which results in a fight between Piccolo and Android #17. Piccolo overpowers Android #17 and tries to finish him off but Android #17 manages to dodge the attack. Back at the Room of Spirit and Time, Vegeta and Trunks are due to be coming out of the room any second now which will reveal if it is possible to go beyond a Super Saiyan.

Bulma is hard at work trying to figure out Dr. Gero's prints meanwhile Piccolo and Android #17 are fighting each other. After Android #17 gets serious it turns out that he and Piccolo are evenly matched. Cell senses them two fighting and starts making his way towards them stating that his power level is now higher than theirs. Krillin, and the others on a nearby island, receive a call from Bulma saying that she has completed the switch to shut down the Androids and starts bringing it over. Android #17 states that since his stamina will never drop, he will be the victor of the battle. However, Cell arrives at the scene of the battle leaving Piccolo shocked. Meanwhile, Goku and Gohan are still waiting for Vegeta and Trunks to come out of the Room of Spirit and Time.

Krillin decides that Bulma is taking too long to deliver the switch to turn off the androids so he decides to go and fly there himself to retrieve it as it will be quicker. Piccolo tries to warn Android #17 to run away but he refuses to leading Piccolo to try and fight him but Cell proves to powerful for him and ends up killing him.

As No. 16 takes his move as he uses his powerful move Cell's flash everyone thinks Cell is dead, but he isn't. No. 16 rips Cell's tail off but he regenerates it! Cell uses a powerful move on No. 16 and takes half his head out! Cell takes No. 17 life and uses it to be at his second stage. Tien takes his strike next dragonball kai!

Tien uses his Tri-Beam technique on Cell continuously, allowing Android #18 and Android #16 to escape. When Tien has reached his limit and unable to move, Goku appears and rescues both him and Piccolo back to Kami's temple where Vegeta and Trunks step out of the Room of Spirit and Time finishing their training. Trunks tells Goku how Vegeta already surpassed the limits on a Super Saiyan in the first two months but he was not satisfied so they carried on training. Krillin bumps into Bulma who delivers him the remote to switch off the Android and then Krillin instructs Bulma to go to Kami's temple to go and deliver them battle clothes. Vegeta and Trunks make their way towards Cell after wearing the gear while Goku and Gohan prepare to go inside for their turn to train. Meanwhile, Cell is destroying islands in a bid to make Android #18 show herself.

Cell continues to destroy islands until he reaches the final one containing Android #16 and Android #18. Just when Cell was charging up his attack, Vegeta arrives along with Trunks. Cell presumes that he will be fighting both Vegeta and Trunks but Vegeta states that Trunks is only a spectator and transforms into Super Vegeta. Meanwhile Goku and Gohan enter the Room of Spirit and Time to start their own training.

Goku continues to train Gohan, who is still trying to achieve Super Saiyan form. Meanwhile Vegeta effortlessly pushes Cell around and beats him up. Cell curses at how if he was able to absorb Android #18 then he will become his perfect form and be able to defeat Vegeta easily even when he is in his 2nd-Grade Super Saiyan form. Cell persuades Vegeta into letting him absorb Android #18 because Vegeta would like to fight Cell in his perfect form as Saiyans love fighting. Not far away, Krillin decides not to destroy Android #18 with the emergency shutdown controller because he feels sorry for her how she used to be a human and also because she kissed him.

Cell successfully persuades Vegeta to let him find and absorb Android #18, but Trunks is determined to prevent this and delivers his own beating to Cell. During a break in the action, Cell spots Androids #18 and #16 and Krillin, who are distracted by their own awkward meeting. Vegeta attempts to keep Trunks from interfering, forcing Trunks to attack his own father in order to prevent him from allowing Cell to reach his perfect form. While this is going on, Cell is savoring the moment and leisurely going about picking off Android #16 and Krillin. Despite their best efforts and a sound beating from Trunks, Cell is ultimately able blind everyone via the Solar Flare technique, absorb Android #18, and achieve his perfect form.

Gohan asks Goku to be serious in his training so he transforms into a Super Saiyan and uses a Kamehameha on Gohan. Gohan thinks of all the times he has let his friends down and gets angry resulting into him also turning into a Super Saiyan. At first Vegeta thinks that Cell's Perfect form is nothing special and he is just the same as before. Meanwhile Krillin is angry for letting Cell absorb Android #18 so he charges and Cell and attempts to attack him by using his Kienzan (Destructo Disc) but the attack has no effect whatsoever. Cell then easily kicks Krillin to one side leaving him almost dead but Trunks rushes to his aid and feeds him a senzu bean saving him from near death. Vegeta starts his fight with Cell and after a short while he soon realizes Cell's power far exceeds his own. In the background Krillin and Trunks are talking about how Trunks has hidden his own true power, one even greater than Vegeta's but kept it secret from him due to his towering pride. Trunks plans to fight Cell when Vegeta is unconscious in order to hide his powers from Vegeta, to stop Vegeta losing his pride.

Desperate to kill Cell, Vegeta resorts to using his ultimate attack Final Flash. Vegeta calculates his attack and avoids destroying the entire Earth and also manages to take off Cell's right arm but with Piccolo's genes he easily regenerates his arm. Cell knocks Vegeta unconscious and Trunks takes this chance to unleash his hidden powers onto Cell. Trunks momentarily lets Cell push him around a little in order to create a chance for Krillin to take the unconscious Vegeta to a safe location. Now that Vegeta is gone, Trunks and Cell can begin their real fight.

Trunks and Cell seem to be evenly matched at first but after a while Trunk's attack cease to hit Cell so Trunks decides to power up even more but he is still unable to connect his attacks to hit Cell. Goku manages to power up to the same level of power as Trunks but decides not to use that form because in order to achieve that form, even though great power is gained, Goku concluded the decrease in speed is too much (due to the large muscles) and having power but not being able to hit your opponent is useless so he decides to opt for his normal Super Saiyan form. This turns out to be the same reason why Trunks cannot defeat Cell. Cell learns that Goku is training to defeat him so in order to waste time he decides to hold a martial arts tournament where anyone can enter to fight him.

When Krillin and Vegeta arrive Trunks informs everyone of the Tenkaichi Tournament held by Cell and Android #16 asks to be taken back to Capsule Corporation where he can be fixed. Bulma also notifies everyone at Kami's house to go there too to meet up. After Cell finishes making his tournament then he heads off to a news station to broadcast his message via television announcing details about his tournament the Cell Games and if that all the warriors lose to him, he will kill every single last human being. Meanwhile Goku and Gohan are still training.

The people of Earth are in a panic after Cell's announcement of the Cell Games. Meanwhile, Goku and Gohan finish their training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Goku immediately requests that Mr. Popo prepare a meal and Trunks explains the latest Cell developments. Goku then teleports to the site of the Cell Games and confronts Cell. After returning to the lookout, Goku announces he and Gohan will not be entering the Hyperbolic Time Chamber again. Instead, for the remaining nine days until the Cell Games, they will train in the real world. Goku and Gohan then fly to Kame House and greet their remaining friends.

As Piccolo completes his training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and Vegeta takes his place, Goku and Gohan are spending their days relaxing at home. Meanwhile, the Self-Defense Army attempt to launch an offensive strike against Cell, but they are completely wiped out. Hearing about this over the radio, Goku asks Piccolo if it is possible to separate with Kami, so he can use the Dragon Balls to revive all the people Cell killed (as they disappeared since they fused together). Since Piccolo can't separate, Goku theories that he can convince another Namekian to stay on Earth and create a new set of Dragon Balls, and goes to find King Kai so he can find the Namekians.

After getting help from King Kai in locating the planet where the Namekians are staying, Goku travels there and explains the situation. The Grand Elder offers Dende to be the new Kami, and Goku takes him back to Earth. Dende revives the dragon balls, revealing that this time they can use two wishes. During the the ten days leading up to the Cell Games, Goku searches for the newly awakened dragon balls, Vegeta and the others finish their training and a martial arts champion, Hercule, steps up to fight Cell. On the day of the Cell Games, it is revealed that if the new dragon balls are used to revive a mass of people, people who died before won't be revived. Despite the others' concern, Goku remains positive and they all head towards the Cell Games.

As Hercule hypes himself in front of the media, Vegeta, Android 16, Goku and the others arrive at the stage. Hercule insists he goes before him, though when his students Calorie and Piroshiki arrive, he allows them to go first, but they are defeated without Cell needing to move. Hercule tries to intimidate Cell by breaking some tiles and then goes on the attack, but Cell knocks him out of the ring with a single blow, not even bothering to kill him. As Cell wishes to take on a proper opponent, Goku steps into the ring.

Goku and Cell begin to fight and, despite putting on an impressive performance, Gohan and Vegeta both realize that neither is using his full power yet. Both fighters then raise their ki to their maximum. After a brief battle, Cell begins to attack using techniques 'inherited' from other characters--first Tien's Multi-Form technique, then Piccolo's Makankosappo, and finally Frieza's homing Destructo Disc. When Goku overcomes each of these techniques, Cell prepares a full-power Kamehameha capable of destroying the Earth. Goku diverts the attack away from the planet by taking to the sky, and then uses Instant Transmission to return to escape back to the ring.

The battle between Goku and Cell continues, with the two fighters reaching a pace that is barely visible to most of the onlookers. Cell then decides to destroy the tournament ring, ensuring that their battle isn't ended by a ring out and can continue until one of them either dies or surrenders. The battle becomes even more intense, culminating with Goku flying high into the sky building up a powerful Kamehameha. Cell and everyone else states that Goku is bluffing, since from his position in the sky, such an attack would easily destroy the Earth. Goku then unexpectedly uses Instant Transmission to teleport in front of Cell and executes the attack point-blank. While the rest of the world celebrates what they believe to be Cell's ultimate defeat, Goku and company watch as Cell's remaining lower half rises and regenerates his missing parts. While the ki of both fighters has depleted considerably, the battle continues on.

Despite everyone's hopes, Goku's energy barrage fails to kill Cell. Furthermore, it is clear to Piccolo and Vegeta that Cell still has more power to go, while Goku has spent the last of his own. With all eyes and ears glued to this moment of truth for Goku's mysterious plan, the battle-worn Super Saiyan surprises everyone by surrendering. Adding further shock, he announces that Gohan will be the next and last contestant to fight Cell. Piccolo and Krillin protest this decision, but Gohan agrees and takes Cell on. Gohan impresses everyone with his power--which proves indeed to be on par with Goku's--but nevertheless finds himself on the losing side of the fight against Cell.

Gohan shows no willingness to fight, and explains to Cell his reason - whenever he is in battle, he loses control and goes in an all out rage. Unfortunately, this intrigues Cell, and so he decides to enrage the boy by inflicting enough pain to force him to unleash his true strength. After watching Gohan take Cell's punishment, #16 decides to intervene by grabbing Cell and attempting to activate the bomb within his own body.

Unfortunately, Krillin reveals that while repairing #16, Bulma removed his bomb, which renders his intervention futile. Cell quickly breaks free of #16's hold, causing his body to shatter - leaving only his head intact. When Cell realizes his attempts at physical intimidation are failing, he devises a plan to attack the ones that are closest to Gohan by spawning seven offspring - the Cell Jr.'s. Gohan's reluctance reaches its limit, and #16 asks Mr Satan to carry him over to Gohan to talk to him. #16 explains to Gohan what to fight for, and that it is okay to unleash his anger to save those that he loves. After hearing his words of encouragement, Cell takes his foot and crushes #16's head. Seeing this is ultimately the last straw for Gohan, who finally releases his rage and ascends to the Super Saiyan 2 level.

After witnessing the death of Android 16 at the hands of Cell, Gohan's anger is ignited in all its fury, causing him to ascend to the Super Saiyan 2 level. Subsequent to this, Gohan effortlessly destroys the Cell Jr.'s, saving the lives of his wounded friends in the process. He then throws the Senzu beans to Trunks, having swiftly obtained them from Cell earlier. With the Z Fighters rejuvenated, Gohan now focuses his attention on Cell, and from the onset of the battle it is clear that Gohan holds the advantage.

Cell finally unleashes his full power against Gohan, but, even at full power, his attacks have no effect on the Super Saiyan 2. After being easily bested in battle, Cell attempts to destroy Gohan and the Earth with a giant Kamehameha, but Gohan produces an even larger beam and deflects the attack with ease. As the rest of the Z Fighters predict an easy victory, Goku recalls that even in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Gohan displayed strength far beyond that of a normal Super Saiyan for a split second. He then tells Gohan to deliver the finishing blow to Cell, but Gohan insists that Cell must suffer first. Cell then utilizes his power weighted form, but the increase in muscle mass lowers his speed greatly and as a result none of his attacks touch Gohan. Gohan counters Cell's rush attack with a single blow to the stomach, causing Cell to regurgitate Android 18 and revert back to his Semi-Perfect form. As the Z Fighters assume that this means victory for Gohan, Cell's body begins to expand greatly.

In a desperate attempt to destroy Earth, Cell begins to self-destruct. With mere seconds left, Goku says goodbye to his son and teleports himself and Cell to King Kai's planet, the only safe place he could think of. Upon arrival, Cell finally explodes, destroying the planet and killing everyone there. As Gohan is left on Earth to grieve, Goku and King Kai realize that Cell hasn't accompanied them to the afterlife, and therefore must have survived the explosion. Using Goku's Instant Transmission technique, Cell returns to Earth, where prepares one final Kamehameha to destroy Gohan and the Earth once and for all.

Cell continues to charge his Kamehameha, and reveals that not only has he gathered enough energy to destroy the Earth, but he also now has the potential to destroy the entire solar system with this blast. Meanwhile, Vegeta apologizes to Gohan for his recklessness. As Gohan and the others watch on hopelessly, Goku contacts his son from the afterlife and tells him that even in his injured state he has the potential to defeat Cell. Reinvigorated, Gohan prepares a final, one-handed Kamehameha to repel Cell's blast. Vegeta returns to the battlefield and launches one final Big Bang Attack, which temporarily distracts Cell. Seeing the opportunity, Gohan finally releases his full strength and overpowers Cell's wave, obliterating Cell and saving the Earth from destruction.

After killing Cell, Gohan and the others return to Kami's Lookout. Meanwhile, Mr. Satan boasts that he killed Cell, instead of Gohan. The public celebrates Mr. Satan's victory as Dende heals Gohan. Piccolo then convinces Dende to summon Shenron. He uses the first wish to revive everyone killed in the Cell Games, including Trunks. Krillin gives his second wish to remove the bombs from the Androids, and succeeds. Trunks bids farewell to everyone and departs for the future. Gohan smiles at Goku's image in the sky.

Trunks returns to the future and is reunited with Bulma. As tranquility seems to return, it is announced that the androids are attacking again. Thanks to his training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Trunks easily destroys Androids #17 and #18. Three years later, Trunks prepares to head back into the past to tell everyone of his victory. However, there is still one more android to stop: Cell. With #17 and #18 gone, Trunks kills the weaker Imperfect Cell and peace is finally restored to the future. Back in the present, Goku begins his new "life" in the Other World.

7 Years have passed since the defeat of Cell. Gohan is now attending Higschool in Satan city. But unfortunately, he appears to have come across a Bank Robbery. Wishing to disguise himself so that no one could recognize him, and figure out who they really are, becomes a Super Saiyan and defeats them with ease. When he arrives at school, rumors have spread about him, but they appear to know him as the "Golden-Haired Warrior". Videl, apparently Mr. Satan's daughter first seeing him there, and at the same school as well as being classmates with, begins to get suspicious of him. After School, Gohan asks Bulma if she can create a Secret Identity for him. She creates a watch that creates a costume for him to wear.

The Next Day, mid way into class, a Bus has been Stolen by a bunch of Criminals. Videl, whom apparently is part of a solo special task force directly working side by side the police, is called for duty. Gohan, overhearing this, decides that Videl might need some help, and quickly asks the teacher if he can go to bathroom, as a cover up. He then decides to call himself the Great Saiyaman. Along with Videl,the two defeat the group of crooks with relative ease, mainly Gohan doing most of the work.The Next day after, Gohan checks on his friends, who appear to be pterodactyls, and there son, "Chobi" is missing. He appears to find he has been stolen by a Evil man who forced him into a circus show of some sort. Videl hearing the commotion comes to solve the problem, when Chobis parents arrive at Satan City, where the man is too. After the problem had been resolved, Videl finally has figured out who the Great Saiyaman is, and Blackmails Gohan into competing in the Next Tournament with her, as well as asking Gohan to promise to teach her how to fly like him. Gohan agrees. Later on, Goku calls from the otherworld overhearing the gang, decides to enter too, by coming back to the living world for one day.

After telling the Z fighters, as well as the Dragonball Gang, about the tournament, whether they want to enter or not, Gohan then asks Chi Chi for her approval so that he can enter the tournament. In the meantime, in preparation for the tournament, Gohan decides to train with Goten. Gohan is initially shocked when on there first training session, Goten becomes a Super Saiyan, which astonishes him, however he does notice that Goten has not been able to have the ability to fly yet, so he decides to Train Goten in that department first. Just then, Videl comes by, asking for Gohan to teach her how to fly. Gohan who had simply forgotten about this, unfortunately decides to put his own training on hold, until Videl goes away. Videl is able to master the basics, it seems, because Gohan said that since Videl is already very experienced in Martial Arts, that her Ki comes easier to her, than others who've had no experience at all. The Next day, following a remark Gohan said about Videl should get her hair cut shorter, she apparently did, in hopes it might make Gohan like her more, however Gohan states he just said for her to do that, just to make it better for fighting, which immediately infuriates Videl, while equally confusing Gohan, as well as Goten. Meanwhile, Vegeta is equally as shocked as Gohan was, when training in the Gravity chamber, Trunks becomes a Super Saiyan as well! The episode ends with Goku being shown, fiercely training, in anticipation for the tournament too.

As the Training continues, Videl is making great progress by Gohans standards, and then she finally leaves. Gohan then does his own training too. The Day of the Tournament then finally comes. Everyone form the Z Fighters, to the Dragon Ball Gang is here, excluding of course, a few people, such as Tien, who appears to be absent. Goku finally arrives, appearing to have a halo on his head as well. Goten then finally meets his father. Everyone participating then heads to the grounds, where in order to register, they must gain an acceptable score as judged by the judges themselves, the High score set by none other than Mr. Satan himself, by a "punching machine". The Z Fighters take there turns, and gain scores much higher than Mr. Satans. The Employees think that The Machine is broken, so they ask their "Spare" one be brought in. In the end, Vegeta ends up destroying the new machine, by punching it with too much force, than the machine can handle, in anger of waiting so long to Register, when it his finally his turn.

The Tournament Begins! The Scene begins focusing on the Junior tournament division, with Goten and Trunks. Goten and Trunks easily defeat all there "Junior" opponents. The Final match begins, and, as expected it is between Goten and Trunks. The Match is an incredible one. The Audience is astonished. Both appear to be about even. Blow for blow. Both become a Super Saiyan at least once within the match, however agree to not, as Gohan does not want anyone to figure out who they really are. The two continue their even battle, with neither giving an inch. Trunks fires a Double Buster, and not to be outdone, Goten launches a Kamekameha. Finally put in a pinch during the intense battle, Goten unthinkingly becomes a Super Saiyan. Full of confidence, Trunks pushes back Goten's attack and becomes a Super Saiyan as well. During this dangerous offensive and defensive match, Goten's legs touch the spectator seats, and loses through an out of bounds. Trunks is confirmed as the champion.

After many attempts to avoid fighting Trunks in an "Exhibition Match", he decides to outsmart him, by saying that there is a special punch, which you have to do when it is against him, which is for Trunks to only tap him on the face, however even a tiny tap of Trunks fist, is enough to send Mr. Satan flying into a wall, however once he recovers from the hit, he tells his adoring fans he simply let Trunks hit him with such incredible force. During an intermission, Trunks and Goten decide to take out one of the participants, Mighty Mask, and steal his clothes in order take his place and participate in the adult division. Meanwhile, as Goku and the others get something to eat, they encounter a pair of mysterious participants, Shin and Kibito, who Piccolo determine as not being from Earth. As the sixteen qualifying participants gather together to decide the drawings for the first round, Gohan is paired up against Kibito whilst Goku gets paired up against Vegeta.

The matches are finally set to begin. Krillin appears in the first match and his opponent, Pintar, is a noisy man with a large body and impudent mouth. As expected, Krillin easily defeats Pintar. Moving on, Piccolo confronts the man of mystery, Shin. Having sensed that Shin is no ordinary person, Piccolo is overwhelmed by his mysterious power, which is on another level, and withdraws from the match without fighting. The next match is between Videl and Spopovich. Meanwhile, backstage, Piccolo learns Shin's true identity and is astonished. It turns out that Shin is the Supreme Kai, the god above the Kai's. Right from the start of the match, Videl continues to one-sidedly beat Spopovich, but Spopovich always gets back up no matter how many times he falls. After being cornered, Videl unthinkingly breaks Spopovich's neck. However, Spopovich nonchalantly gets back up. Videl's attacks are completely ineffective against the freakishly strong Spopovich.

Videl continues to fight back, even while being beaten to a pulp, but Spopovitch continues to mercilessly attack her. Seeing this extreme cruelty, Gohan's anger finally explodes. Before Super Saiyan Gohan can rush in, Spopovitch's ally Yamu steps in to stop Spopovitch, and Videl finally loses after being tossed out of the ring. Goku is beginning to have a bad premonition. Having been gravely injured, Gohan gives Videl one of the Senzu Beans that Goku brought from Korin Tower and she completely recovers. Gohan's match with Shin's subordinate Kibito then begins. Having entered as the Great Saiyaman without his mask, Gohan has his identity discovered by his classmates who have come to the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament. Furthermore, Kibito makes an unexpected request of Gohan: to transform into a Super Saiyan right there and then. After being a bit reluctant, Gohan transforms into a Super Saiyan just as Kibito asked him to. As he does so, Yamu and Spopovitch see this and suddenly rush in. As Gohan is about to defend himself, he suddenly becomes limp and defenseless due to Shin's telekinesis, thus allowing Spopovitch to restrain him. Meanwhile, Yamu injects him with an Energy Absorber, stealing Gohan's energy until he loses his Super Saiyan form. While this is happening, Videl tries to jump in and save Gohan, but is stopped by Goku. After stealing all of Gohan's energy, the two villains fly away and Gohan collapses in the ring.

With the Supreme Kai, Goku and the others follow after Yamu and Spopovich. On the way, they are told the story of the terrifying Majin Buu and the mage Babidi on the way: in order to revive Majin Buu, Babidi manipulated Yamu and Spopovich to gather energy. Gohan, Videl, and Kibito follow after them, but Videl goes back, unable to keep up with their speed. Gohan and Kibito soon catch up with Goku and the others. At the location of Babidi's spaceship, the Z Fighters and their allies observe as Babidi emerges from the ship together with king of the Demon Realm Dabura.

Along with the Supreme Kai and his servant Kibito, the Z Fighters observe from afar as Babidi, the king of the Demon Realm Dabura, and the warrior Pui Pui exterminate Yamu and Spopovitch after obtaining the energy gathered by the duo. Dabura suddenly attacks Goku and the others. Kibito is killed, while Krillin and Piccolo are turned to stone. In order to restore Krillin and Piccolo to normal, the remaining Z Fighters invade Babidi's spaceship followed by the Supreme Kai. Inside the spaceship are battle stages outfitted to absorb the energy of those who each time take damage inside it in order to revive Majin Buu. Babidi sends Pui Pui to Stage 1, where Z Fighters and the Supreme Kai are waiting, and Vegeta ends up fighting him.

Vegeta and Pui Pui's battle is overwhelmingly Vegeta's victory. Unable to simply watch, Babidi uses his magic to change the stage to the planet Zoon, a place favorable to Pui Pui. Planet Zoon is where Pui Pui was raised, and its gravity is ten times that of planet Earth. But the difference in gravity does not affect Vegeta, who easily defeats Pui Pui. The hole opens to a lower floor in Babidi's spaceship, and Goku and the others head to Stage 2. Babidi sends the monster Yakon to Stage 2. Yakon's opponent is Goku. Babidi changes Stage 2 to the pitch-dark world, the Dark Star, which is advantageous to Yakon. Goku becomes a Super Saiyan and illuminates his surroundings, but Yakon eats light, sucking up Goku's aura. Now knowing Yakon's ability, Goku becomes Super Saiyan once again and emits a powerful aura, forcing Yakon to suck up a huge amount of light and explode.

Dabura decides he will take Stage 3 himself and heads off to prepare. Meanwhile, as the Z Fighters have left the World Martial Arts Tournament grounds, the tournament is changed into a Battle Royal at Mr. Satan suggestion. The remaining contestants all enter the ring and figh but, fearing that the other four contestants will concentrate their attacks on him, Satan regrets having suggested the Battle Royal. However, as soon as the match begins, Android 18 and Mighty Mask easily defeat the other two contestants, Killa and Jewel, and begin a one-on-one battle, completely ignoring Satan.

Inside Babidi's spaceship, Dabura enters the meditation room and continues to raise his ki in preparation for battle. At the World Martial Arts Tournament grounds, an intense battle unfolds between Android 18 and "Mighty Mask". Inside the Mighty Mask costume, Goten and Trunks transform into Super Saiyans and unleash a formidable Big Tree Cannon attack. Having seen through their identity, Android 18 launches a Destructo Disk which cuts "Mighty Mask" torso in half. With it revealed that they were two people fighting as one, Goten and Trunks are disqualified.

Android 18 and Mr. Satan end up fighting each other in the final of the 25th World Martial Arts Tournament. While Mr. Satan is trembling from having seen how she fought against "Mighty Mask", Android 18 suggests to that she will let him have the championship for the price of 20 million Zeni. Mr. Satan accepts the conditions, and Android 18 loses to him on purpose, and he gains the championship. In Babidi's spaceship, Dabura appears at Stage 3 and his fight with Gohan finally begins. Meanwhile, having heard about what is going on from Videl, Goten and Trunks excitedly take off in the direction of the spaceship.

A fierce battle unfolds between Gohan and Dabura, but Vegeta is irritated that Gohan is having such a difficult time against Dabura, who ability-wise is far below them. Sensing Vegeta's evil heart, Dabura asks Babidi to teleport them back on Stage 3 of Babidi's spaceship, saying that he has found a warrior. Dabura has decided to use Babidi's Mind Control to make Vegeta their ally and have the Z Fighters fight amongst themselves. Babidi watches Vegeta having an argument with Goku, and confirms that his heart is indeed filled with evil. Using his magic, he succeeds in manipulating Vegeta, and then changes the stage to the World Martial Arts Tournament.

At the World Martial Arts Tournament grounds, Vegeta unleashes an energy blast at Goku. Goku tries to stop the blast but is sent flying, and it explodes in the spectator seats. With the tournament grounds in a panic, Goku and Vegeta square off. It turns out that Vegeta purposefully fell under Babidi’s magic in order to make Goku get serious. Learning of this, Goku announces to Babidi that he will fight with Vegeta. Not even Supreme Kai can stop Goku and Vegeta’s battle. Babidi changes the stage to an uninhabited wasteland, just like Goku requested. He then tries to manipulate Vegeta with his magic, but the prideful Vegeta brushes him aside. Gohan and Supreme Kai head into Babidi’s spaceship, and the battle between Goku and Vegeta begins.

Goku and Vegeta's battle has finally begun. The energy of Buu's revival rapdily fills up from the damage the two take in battle. Feeling humiliation from such things as having been saved by Goku in the past, Vegeta puts his hatred into a ring shaped ki. He fires these at Goku, binding him up, and then attacks. But Goku tears off the rings, and counterattacks. Evenly matched, neither of them gives an inch. Meanwhile, Gohan and Supreme Kai finally reach Babidi. They square off with Dabura and Babidi in front of the egg that Buu is sealed inside. The moment they are about to begin their assualt, Buu's egg suddenly changes! Buu's revival energy is full from Goku and Vegeta's battle, even as the two continue their fight.

Goku and Vegeta's battle has finally begun. The energy of Buu's revival rapdily fills up from the damage the two take in battle. Feeling humiliation from such things as having been saved by Goku in the past, Vegeta puts his hatred into a ring shaped ki. He fires these at Goku, binding him up, and then attacks. But Goku tears off the rings, and counterattacks. Evenly matched, neither of them gives an inch. Meanwhile, Gohan and Supreme Kai finally reach Babidi. They square off with Dabura and Babidi in front of the egg that Buu is sealed inside. The moment they are about to begin their assualt, Buu's egg suddenly changes! Buu's revival energy is full from Goku and Vegeta's battle, even as the two continue their fight.

While Majin Buu doesn’t seem very strong, according to Supreme Kai, who saw Buu long ago, this is in fact the genuine article. In the midst of their battle, Goku and Vegeta also sense a large ki. Babidi tells Buu that he is Buu’s master, but Buu won’t listen to him. However, Dabura then calls him an idiot, and Buu, feeling angered by his insult, attacks, and defeats him easily. At that time, Goku senses Gohan, Supreme Kai, and Buu’s ki, and managing to persuade Vegeta, they head toward Buu. But Vegeta catches Goku off guard, while he was grabbing the last Senzu bean from his pouch, and knocks him unconscious, then heads there alone. Meanwhile, Gohan and Supreme Kai try to escape from Buu, but Buu catches up with them and knocks Gohan down. Supreme Kai counterattacks, but it has no effect against Buu.

Majin Buu beats Supreme Kai up, unaffected by his counterattack, and blows Gohan away when he comes to Supreme Kai's rescue. Babidi orders Buu to kill Supreme Kai, but at that moment Dabura pierces Buu with a spear. Meanwhile, Goten and Trunks arrive at the location of Babidi's Ship, and Trunks accidentally breaks the stone Piccolo. Dabura tells Babidi that Buu would one day betray him, so he preemptively killed him. However, not even Dabra’s attacks damage Buu, and he turns Dabra into a cookie and eats him. With Dabura’s death, Krillin returns to normal. Even Piccolo, who was broken by Trunks, safely regenerates as his head was left intact. Meanwhile, as Buu and Babidi are about to finish off Supreme Kai, Babidi’s spaceship suddenly explodes.

Babidi’s spaceship explodes and Vegeta arrives on the scene. Vegeta attacks Buu with tremendous power. But even after having a hole put through his stomach, Buu quickly returns to normal, and begins his counterattack! Buu creates a giant explosion around his own body, seriously injuring Vegeta.

FUNimation episode listing

The episode begins with a flashback of the destruction of Planet Vegeta at the hands of Frieza, and the upbringing of Goku on Earth as depicted in the original Dragon Ball series. Five years have passed since Goku's victory over Piccolo at the 23rd World Martial Arts Tournament, and he has since married Chi-Chi and now has a son named Gohan. Goku and Gohan are heading towards a reunion with Goku's friends. Elsewhere, an odd-looking spacecraft crash lands on Earth. A man in battle armor emerges from the vessel and flies off to scout out a powerful life form he locates with the help of an apparatus on his eye. Piccolo is nearly killed by the stranger, but this is averted when the man leaves to scout out a more powerful life form. The other strong life form is Goku, who at Master Roshi's house presents his son to Roshi, Krillin, and Bulma. The stranger arrives and speaks to Goku in a familiar manner.

The stranger says that his name is Raditz and that he is Goku's older brother. Goku cannot remember this, as he suffers from brain damage caused by a fall when he was a child. Raditz reports that he and Goku are of an alien race called the Saiyans and that he and Goku are among the last four remaining. He then asks Goku to join them in exterminating the population of Earth, taking Gohan hostage when Goku refuses. Piccolo appears and offers to help him defeat Raditz, Goku accepts his offer and together they follow after Raditz. Goku and Piccolo confront the Saiyan at his space pod's crash site, but Raditz is not impressed and tells them that the other two Saiyans are even stronger than him.

Goku and Piccolo are no match for Raditz in direct conflict, so they decide to have Goku distract Raditz while Piccolo gathers energy for an attack strong enough to defeat Raditz. This plan fails, as does Goku's attempt to stop Raditz by grabbing his tail. Raditz tortures Goku, causing Gohan to unleash his latent abilities in a fit of rage, and he strikes Raditz in the chest. Goku uses this opportunity to grab Raditz from behind, allowing Piccolo to use his "Special Beam Cannon" technique on Raditz, killing him as well as Goku. Before he succumbs to his wound, Raditz tells his enemies that the other Saiyans will be on Earth within a year. Bulma, Krillin, and Master Roshi arrive to witness Goku's death.

Kami takes Goku along with his body to the afterlife. Bulma takes Raditz's scouter in order to repair it and find Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu. Piccolo takes Gohan into his custody and flies off, intending to train the boy in the martial-arts. In the afterlife, Kami arranges for Goku to be allowed to travel to King Kai via the Snake Way. While Goku starts his journey along the road, Krillin unsuccessfully attempts to tell Chi-Chi of her husband's death and her son's kidnapping. Meanwhile, Piccolo tells Gohan of his father's fate and demonstrates to Gohan the power that the boy possesses by throwing him at a rock, which Gohan destroys reflexively.

Gohan's training begins. After a length of time spent alone on a mountaintop, Gohan sees the moon, which causes him to transform into a Great Ape. Rather than let him rampage unchecked, Piccolo destroys the moon, making any further transformations impossible, and removes his tail, before leaving to begin his own training. Meanwhile, Bulma repairs the scouter, and Yajirobe delivers a summons to Krillin, telling him that the two of them, along with Yamcha, Tien Shinhan, and Chiaotzu, are to report to Kami's Lookout for training.

Six months have passed since Gohan's incident with the full moon, and he has since become much more adept at surviving in the wilderness. Piccolo then decides to begin training the boy personally. Meanwhile, Goku has arrived at the end of Snake Way, meeting King Kai on his planet, which, despite its small size, is 10 times Earth's gravity. In order for Goku to train under King Kai's teachings, he must attempt to make the master laugh. After Goku's accomplishment of making him laugh, King Kai tells him to catch his monkey, Bubbles. Having Bubbles run around his planet, Goku must chase after the monkey; a difficult task for him due to the planet's heavy gravity.

After three weeks, Goku succeeds in catching Bubbles. He is then issued his second challenge, to hit Gregory, the flying grasshopper, with a large mallet. After two weeks of trying, Goku succeeds and fully masters the planet's gravity in the process. King Kai then proceeds to teach Goku his signature technique; the Kaio-ken. On Earth, Gohan's training with Piccolo comes to a close, while the rest of the Z Fighters finish their training with Kami and go their separate ways.

King Kai tests Goku's ability to create a Spirit Bomb with a large brick as a target, and Goku destroys it with no problems. However, King Kai warns Goku of the potential danger of creating a Spirit Bomb on Earth. So Goku decides to only use it as a last resort. With his training complete, Goku, through King Kai, sends a telepathic message to Master Roshi to use the Dragon Balls to resurrect him. On Earth, Roshi, Bulma, and Oolong summon the eternal dragon Shenron and fulfill Goku's wish. Goku then begins the long journey back along Snake Way. The next day, the Saiyans Nappa and Vegeta land on Earth to begin their search for the Dragon Balls.

Vegeta and Nappa emerge from their two space pods and Nappa wipes out East City with a single devastating blast. They then fly off towards the island where Piccolo and Gohan are in search of the Dragon Balls. Krillin arrives first, and the three face off with Vegeta and Nappa. Piccolo learns for the first time that he is a Namekian when told by Nappa. At Vegeta's order, Nappa plants seeds in the ground, and six Saibamen are born. Tien Shinhan, Chiaotzu, and then Yamcha fly in to join in the battle. Vegeta suggests they have a game of one-on-one. Tien faces-off first against a Saibaman. Tien overpowers the Saibaman but before he's able to finish it off, Vegeta destroys it as incentive to the remaining five. Next, Yamcha decides to fight in place of Krillin, but the Saibaman latches onto him and self-destructs, killing Yamcha outright.

Nappa faces off against the Z Fighters and proves to be a formidable opponent. During his attack, Tien Shinhan loses his arm. In an act of desperation, Chiaotzu attaches himself to Nappa's back and sacrifices himself using a kamikaze technique, but Nappa is unharmed by it. Grief stricken by Chiaotzu's sacrifice, Tien puts all his strength into one final energy blast at Nappa, but this also fails, and Tien dies of exhaustion. With the Z Fighters now down three, the team can do nothing but hope for Goku's arrival. The Saiyans soon learn of their trump card and scoffs at the notion until Krillin informs the duo of Goku's special training. Intrigued by the possibility of Goku's increased strength, Vegeta issues a three-hour reprieve to wait for Goku to arrive.

Goku fails to arrive within the three-hour reprieve and the battle with the Saiyans recommences. At that moment however, Goku finally reaches the end of Snake Way, is teleported back to Earth by Kami, and flies straight to the battlefield on the Nimbus. Upon reviving word of Goku's impending arrival on his scouter and discovering that his power level is now far greater than before, Vegeta orders Nappa to kill the remaining Z Fighters, including Piccolo, claiming that they can later go to planet Namek and use the Namekian Dragon Balls. Nappa fires a powerful energy blast at Gohan, but Piccolo jumps in the way at the last second to shield Gohan from the blast.

Piccolo dies from Nappa's energy blast, resulting in Kami's death and the destruction of Earth's Dragon Balls. However, Goku finally arrives at the battlefield just in time to save Gohan and Krillin. After healing the two with a Senzu Bean from Korin, Goku engages Nappa in battle. Despite the burly Nappa's power, it quickly becomes clear that Goku is the superior fighter. Realizing this, Vegeta finally decides to step into the fight.

With Vegeta ready to enter the fight, Nappa realizes that he has lost, and prepares to attack Gohan and Krillin. However, Goku uses his new Kaio-ken technique and disables Nappa. With his partner now useless, Vegeta mercilessly kills Nappa. Goku tells Gohan and Krillin to leave so he can fight Vegeta without distraction. After moving to a new battleground, the last two Saiyans begin their epic battle. However, Vegeta is much more powerful than Nappa was, and Goku eventually realizes that even the 2x Kaio-ken isn't enough to defeat his opponent. He then decides to break his promise to King Kai and use the 3x Kaio-ken.

Goku powers up with the 3x Kaio-ken and attacks Vegeta with his increased power and speed. Vegeta is filled with rage as he's realized Goku's power level exceeds his own, so he attempts to destroy Earth with his "Galick Gun" technique. Goku counters this with the Kamehameha wave and overcomes Vegeta's blast by using the 4x Kaio-ken. Vegeta then searches for the moon to transform into a Great Ape and increase his attributes. Realizing it has been destroyed, Vegeta releases a ball of energy that simulates the moon and transforms into a Great Ape. Krillin and Gohan sense Vegeta's increased power and decide to return to help Goku.

Firming his resolve, Goku tries to create a Spirit Bomb, but he is hit by an attack the instant he finishes gathering energy. He manages to wound Vegeta's eye in his battered state, but he ends up with Vegeta trying to crush him in his hand. While hiding, Gohan and Krillin watch the fight and try to come up with a plan to cut off Vegeta's tail. They fail, but Yajirobe seizes an opening and severs it with his sword. After returning to his original form, Vegeta angrily bouts with Gohan, who is reluctant at first to fight until he gets support from Goku. Goku entrusts Krillin with the remaining energy from the Spirit Bomb.

Krillin throws the Spirit Bomb at Vegeta, but the Saiyan Prince manages to dodge it at the last second. Following Goku's advice, Gohan rebounds the Spirit Bomb back at Vegeta, though, surprisingly, he survives the hit. Before Vegeta can finish the Z Fighters off, however, Gohan's tail suddenly grows back and he transforms into a Great Ape. After being thrashed around by the Great Ape, Vegeta cuts Gohan's tail off in mid-air, but Gohan falls on top of him as he lands, crushing the Saiyan Prince to the brink of death. Finally defeated, Vegeta summons his space pod and attempts to escape, but Krillin grabs Yajirobe's sword and prepares to finish him off.

Before Krillin deals the final blow to Vegeta, Goku intercedes. He asks Krillin to allow his selfish Saiyan wants and let Vegeta live, as he wishes to train harder and challenge him again. Krillin reluctantly agrees and Vegeta leaves Earth. Master Roshi, Bulma, Chi Chi, and Korin fly to where Goku, Gohan, and Krillin are. They gather the bodies of their deceased friends and set off to the hospital. Krillin informs them that Kami is a Namekian, and that the planet Namek should have more inhabitants able to create Dragon Balls. After brainstorming on how to get there in a reasonable amount of time, they realize that Nappa's capsule is still a working vessel. Bulma decides to run it through some tests and see if it's still viable.

Goku, Krillin, and Gohan are in the hospital recovering from the battle with Vegeta. Their friends and family come visit. When the television is turned on, they see a report about Nappa's space pod. Bulma, thinking she's pressed the button that will have it fly towards them, instead self-destructs the pod. Before everyone gives up hope, Mr. Popo arrives, and tells them that he knows of another spaceship. It is the Namekian ship that Kami used to come to earth when he was a boy. Bulma reluctantly agrees to inspect it up in Yunzabit Heights with him. They realize the craft is voice-activated in the native Namekian language. Bulma converts the language to English in a few weeks with Gohan and Krillin deciding to accompany her on her journey to Namek in search for the Dragon Balls.

While on their journey to Namek, Gohan and Krillin practice image training. Meanwhile, Vegeta has landed on Planet Frieza No. 79, and after being revived, heads to Namek to collect the Dragon Balls once Cui tells him Frieza is currently there. After 30 days aboard Kami's old spaceship, Bulma, Krillin, and Gohan arrive on Namek. Bulma uses her scouter and notices that four of the seven Dragon Balls are together already. Gohan senses evil ki, but Bulma reassures them that the Namekians probably are the ones who have them. They notice Vegeta's spacepod fly overhead and land in the distance, along with a second space pod shortly after. Vegeta isn't too thrilled to find out Zarbon and Dodoria are also accompanying Frieza.

Frieza continues to collect the Namekian Dragon Balls, while Vegeta slaughters Cui. Meanwhile, Krillin and Gohan battle more of Frieza's minions, but not before they destroy the spaceship they used to reach the planet. Back on Earth, Goku is finally healed, thanks to Korin's new batch of Senzu beans, and he prepares to journey towards Namek.

Goku arrives at Capsule Corp. where Dr. Briefs has prepared a spaceship for him to travel to Namek in six days, as well as train. Goku begins to train at 20G as he takes off for Namek. Meanwhile, the Namekians begin to fight back against Frieza's men, however Zarbon proves too powerful. Discovering that their people are being located via their scouters, the Namekians destroy the scouters. Dodoria filled with rage, rushes into the fray to make the locals regret the day they ever crossed Frieza.

Krillin and Gohan save a young Namekian boy from Dodoria's attack. The three fly away and manage to hide from the pursuing Dodoria, who is soon after attacked by Vegeta. The two fight briefly. Dodoria begs for his life, offering to tell Vegeta the true story of his home planet's destruction. Vegeta releases Dodoria from his grip, and Dodoria reveals that it was Frieza who destroyed Planet Vegeta out of fear for the Saiyan race's potential. Vegeta is furious at being lied to and being used by Frieza, and kills a fleeing Dodoria.

Zarbon wonders why Dodoria hasn't returned, but Frieza is unconcerned. Vegeta, using his new earthbound abilities, senses Gohan, Krillin, and Dende in the distance. Gohan and Krillin lower their ki enough to avoid being detected further, but Dende does not know how to. Before Vegeta can home in on Dende's power, a giant Namekian fish appears, giving Vegeta the thought that it was the source of ki he detected. He later comes across a village of 20 or so Namekians, and demands to be given the Dragon Ball. When the elder Namek of the village denies him the dragon ball, Vegeta slays all the Nameks and finds the dragon ball in one of the huts. He then proceeds to throw it in a nearby lake so that Frieza and his men cannot find it. He then proceeds to look for the remaining stray Dragon Ball. Meanwhile, Krillin and Gohan realize that Vegeta's about to head to the Eldest Namek's Spire, so they fly to that location.

While Goku continues training on his way to Namek, King Kai tells him his fallen friends from the Saiyan threat are with him even Chiaotzu. Goku fills King Kai in on the situation on Namek. King Kai realizes Frieza is there and orders Goku to stay away from his evil might. However Piccolo assures Goku he will train hard so when he is revived they will take Frieza down. After talking to his friends in Other World,Goku continues his training at 50x gravity. Meanwhile Krillin and Dende head to Guru's home for the remaining Dragon Ball. Vegeta senses Zarbon and confronts him to fight. At first Vegeta proves a match for Zarbon until the latter transforms into his more repulsive but stronger form. He defeats Vegeta with ease who passes out from exhaustion.

Krillin and Dende arrive at the Grand Elder's location - a conspicuous tower out in the open, and are greeted by Nail, one of the strongest Namekians. The Elder speaks with them about the Dragon Balls, his ailing health, and the need for help to his Namekian children. He reads Krillin's past through telepathy where he learns of the history of Kami; of how Piccolo is the evil shed from Kami in order for Kami to become Earth's guardian. He also learns that Krillin's intentions are pure, and that he has dormant power; which he unlocks.

Krillin's power increases dramatically and he asks the Elder if Gohan can have his dormant power awakened, to which the Elder replies yes. Meanwhile, Zarbon reports to Frieza saying how he defeated Vegeta, even though he didn't find his corpse. Frieza condemns him when he thinks Vegeta has a Dragon Ball hidden, so he sends Zarbon to fetch him and bring him back to the ship to heal. Zarbon finds Vegeta and places him in a rejuvenation tank inside Frieza's spaceship. Frieza has a preminition of losing to a Saiyan, but not Vegeta.

After being severely beaten by Zarbon, Vegeta is taken in the rejuvenation chamber to heal. Once healed he would be questioned about the whereabouts of the remaining Dragon Balls. When he recovers, Vegeta finds Frieza's Dragon Balls and creates a diversion to sneak away with them. Ultimately, his plan works. Meanwhile, Krillin returns to Bulma looking for Gohan, so Guru can unlock his hidden potential. However he finds out Gohan is looking for the Dragon Ball Vegeta hid earlier in the Namekian village's pond. He finds it and flies back to his friends. Suddenly Vegeta appears for the Dragon Ball Krillin has. Then surprisingly Zarbon appears to take and the Dragon Balls he stole. They have another battle, this time with Vegeta stronger and prepared. Even Zarbon's transformation doesn't work this time. Vegeta rams his fist into Zarbon's stomach while Zarbon begs for mercy. Vegeta blasts clean through Zarbon, killing him. Then he turns his attention to Krillin, Bulma and the Dragon Ball.

Gohan finds the Four Star ball that Vegeta hid earlier. Krillin finds Bulma looking for Gohan so Guru can unlock his hidden potential. He discovers Gohan left. On his way back to his friends, Gohan is found by Vegeta. He manages to hide the four star ball but keeps the radar in his hand. When a suspicious Vegeta asks him about it, Gohan claims its a clock. After a brief conversation, Vegeta viciously knees Gohan in the stomach and leaves. However, he eventually realizes the radar's true purpose and also realizes the remaining ball was taken by Gohan. An angry Vegeta, then turns around and heads in the same direction Gohan.

Frieza calls in the Ginyu Force, an elite group of fighters, to take care of Vegeta. Vegeta decides to strike an uneasy alliance with Krillin and Gohan. They try to flee the Ginyu Force but are found. The Dragon Balls are taken from them and Ginyu decides to take them to Frieza while his team handles the Z fighters. After a ridiculous game of rock, paper, scissors Guldo goes first and faces Krillin and Gohan. Can they defeat this merciless foe?

Gohan and Krillin fight Guldo while Captain Ginyu take all seven Dragon Balls to Frieza. Gohan and Krillin struggle against Guldo due to his ability to freeze time. Guldo then shows off another impressive ability, the power to paralyze Gohan and Krillin. Guldo retrieves and sharpens a huge tree and prepares to skewer the two Z Fighters. In the nick of time, Vegeta appears and executes Guldo by beheading him. Gohan, Krillin, and Vegeta wait for Goku to arrive in order to make their next move, while the Ginyu Force play rock, paper, scissors to see who will go next.

Vegeta is in awful need of help from his former enemies in order to battle the Ginyu Force. Elsewhere on the planet, Frieza tries to unlock the magic of the Dragon balls to gain his beloved immortality. Recoome, a "pineapple headed" member of the Ginyu Force, challenges Vegeta, whose efforts just tear the beasts' clothes off. Just as Recoome fires what could be the finishing move, Krillin and Gohan quickly come to Vegeta's aid , destroying Recoome's teeth with his own Eraser Gun. Meanwhile Frieza has gained all seven Dragon Balls from Captain Ginyu but to his surprise, he can't make his wish. He quickly and angrily realizes that the Dragon Balls require some kind of password or secret word to unlock their power. Glad to see the scouter has found Namekians, Frieza flies off towards Guru's direction. As Frieza's story unfolds, so does the battle in another region of the planet. Gohan decides to take Recoome head on but cannot withstand his power. His neck is brutally broken by Recoome just as a Capsule Corp. ship arrives. The ship belongs to none other than our hero Goku, but is he too late to help? Can the kind Saiyan defeat the elite Ginyu Force after his immense training with 100x Gravity?!

Goku enters the battle after giving Senzu beans to Krillin, Gohan, and Vegeta, and things quickly take a turn for the better. Recoome, charging up a deadly attack, is defeated by a single blow from Goku. Jeice and Burter leap into battle trying a variety of techniques - none of which have the least bit of effect on Goku. Burter is knocked out by a few swift attacks from Goku, as Jeice stares in awe at his latest opponent - having never faced someone so powerful. Vegeta comes to suspect that Goku has become the first Super Saiyan in over 1000 years.

Goku tells Jeice to take the beaten Recoome and Burter and leave the planet forever. Jeice flees to Captain Ginyu and tells him what has happened. Ginyu has Frieza's men bury the dragon balls then sets out with Jeice towards Goku. Meanwhile, Vegeta kills Burter then Recoome. Also, Krillin and Gohan realize that Frieza is heading towards the Grand Elder in order to obtain the password to summon the Namekian Dragon. Shortly after this, Ginyu and Jeice arrive to battle Goku. Goku tells Krillin and Gohan to leave. Vegeta tricks Goku and flies away, leaving Goku to fight alone. Goku and Captain Ginyu fight, and after a while Ginyu asks Goku to release his true power. Goku abides and begins to power up via the Kaio-ken.

Goku powers up to his maximum level - which is far greater than Ginyu expected. The captain can do nothing but gawk at his more powerful opponent. After the Grand Elder unlocks Dende's hidden powers and sends him off to meet the Earthlings, Nail begins battling Frieza. While Frieza is clearly the stronger of the two, he is surprised at Nail's ability to regenerate lost limbs. Gohan and Krillin rescue Bulma from a dinosaur attack, and take the dragon radar to find where Frieza took the dragon balls to. As the episode ends, Ginyu makes the strange move of wounding himself, and firing a strange beam at Goku.

The beam Ginyu fires at Goku causes the two of them to switch bodies. Goku is now trapped in Ginyu's wounded body. Krillin and Gohan arrive at Frieza's ship and dig up the dragon balls, while Vegeta gets a fresh suit of armor. Ginyu, in Goku's body, and Jeice arrive back at the ship as well, but when Ginyu tries to power up his level is only 23,000, far less than the 180,000 level Goku had before. Realizing that great strength requires unity of mind and body, Goku (in Ginyu's body) arrives and shouts to Krillin and Gohan that they can easily defeat Ginyu. Vegeta kills Jeice, boasting that he is close to becoming a Super Saiyan.

After killing Jeice, Vegeta sets his sights on Ginyu (still in Goku's body). Vegeta effortlessly pummels Ginyu, and an attempt by Ginyu to get Vegeta's body is thwarted by Goku who intercedes, leaving Ginyu back to his original body and Goku in his. Ginyu tries again to switch with Vegeta, but Goku throws a Namekian frog in the path, leaving Ginyu in the frog's body. With the Ginyu Force completely defeated, Vegeta places Goku in a rejuvenation tank inside Frieza's spaceship, gives battle armor to Krillin and Gohan, then falls asleep. Meanwhile, Nail continues to fight Frieza to stall for time. Nail eventually reveals this to Frieza after realizing he will never last if he continues and the enraged tyrant immediately charges back towards his spaceship. Krillin, Gohan, and Dende take the dragon balls away from the ship and summon Porunga, the Eternal Dragon of Namek.

Krillin and Gohan discover that although the Namekian dragon balls can grant three wishes, they can resurrect only one person per wish, unlike the Earth's dragon balls. After consulting with their dead friends via King Kai's telepathic abilities, they use the first wish to revive Piccolo, which also brings Kami and the Earth's dragon balls back. They then use the second wish to teleport Piccolo to Namek so he can assist them. Vegeta eventually awakens and learns he's been duped, but before he can use the final wish to become immortal, the Grand Elder passes away and the Namekian dragon balls become useless. Just as Vegeta thinks his luck couldn't get any worse, Frieza finally arrives, and is not happy at all that his own plans for immortality have been thwarted.[season one season finale.] (End of Season 1.)

Piccolo arrives on Namek following being resurrected and wished there. He begins rushing towards the battlefield, and along the way encounters an ailing Nail, on the brink of death. Piccolo reluctantly performs Namekian fusion with Nail, which increases his power substantially, and begins rushing back to the battlefield. Meanwhile, Frieza, after battling the Earthlings and Vegeta in his first form, transforms to his second form following some goading from Vegeta - and this increases the tyrant's power level to over a million. With his increased power, Frieza charges at Krillin in the air, impaling him on his horn.[season two season premiere.]

After impaling Krillin, Frieza ejects him into the water. Gohan rushes to rescue his friend, but his path is blocked by the tyrant. Gohan's rage from seeing a friend in pain gets the better of him, and he immediately starts unloading on Frieza, much to Vegeta's surprise. As Gohan knocks Frieza out of the air, Dende saves Krillin from drowning and heals him (this was one of his hidden powers that the Grand Elder had unlocked). Frieza charges towards Gohan to get his revenge, only to be blasted in the back by Vegeta - which to the Saiyan prince's disappointment, does absolutely nothing. Frieza begins thrashing Gohan, but is rescued by the healed Krillin, who distracts the tyrant with numerous attacks and escapades - just enough time for Dende to heal Gohan. Unfortunately, it becomes clear that Frieza outclasses them all, so the three warriors begin blasting him with everything they've got. Once again, it has no effect, but as they are about to charge him in their moment of desperation, Piccolo finally arrives on the battlefield, announcing that he will be the one to win the battle.

Armed with the combined power of Nail, Piccolo begins battling Frieza - and surprisingly manages to hold his own. The two exchange blows pretty evenly for a good portion of the fight. Piccolo eventually realizes Frieza slightly holds the upper hand, so he removes his weighted clothing and begins winning against the tyrant. Frieza finds himself backed into a corner, so he decides it is best to transform again to fight Piccolo. Becoming his grotesque, ugly third form, Frieza once again gains the upper hand and begins obliterating Piccolo with a rapid finger beam blast. Gohan rushes to rescue his mentor, and when Krillin tries to follow suit, Vegeta stops him - revealing to Krillin he may have a strategy that will allow him to defeat the tyrant.

Frieza dodges Gohan's attack but quickly finds himself on the receiving end once again - the young half Saiyan unleashes a massive ki blast that even the tyrant himself has difficulty deflecting. Frieza then decides to transform to his fourth form - the final and most powerful. Vegeta's plan to defeat Frieza involves having himself mortally wounded and then being healed by Dende - which the Saiyan prince achieves by having Krillin shoot an energy blast through his chest. Dende has no interest in healing Vegeta (who harmed so many of his people), however, and instead heals Piccolo, who then convinces him to heal Vegeta as well. Frieza eventually reaches his final form, and immediately kills Dende with a ki blast - having witnessed his healing abilities while transforming. Krillin, Gohan, and Piccolo go on the attack but the tyrant dodges every single attack they throw his way. Vegeta watches them fight from a hill, preparing to charge up to his new found power level as Gohan finds himself on a direct collision course with another one of Frieza's blasts.

Vegeta intervenes, using his newfound power and speed to rescue Gohan from Frieza's blast. While Gohan is grateful, Vegeta tells him he doesn't care about him and only did it as a demonstration of his abilities - now that he has declared himself a Super Saiyan. The Saiyan prince powers up to unbelievable levels of strength, which leave Gohan, Krillin, and Piccolo in awe - but no matter how much he powers up, and how many deadly attacks he dishes out, Frieza dodges and deflects everything. Vegeta quickly finds himself on the wrong end of the tyrant's attacks, and is quickly beaten. Gohan attempts to help but is stopped by Piccolo, who claims he wouldn't be able to do anything anyway. However, just as all hope seems lost, Goku fully recovers in the rejuvenation tank inside Frieza's spaceship and discovers that his power has once again increased beyond his expectations.

Vegeta is no match for Frieza and is quickly incapacitated. Piccolo, Gohan and Krillin are forced to stand idly by while Frieza continues to thrash the Saiyan prince. However, Goku arrives at the battlefield, and surprisingly, Frieza finds his appearance very familiar (this is because he resembles his father Bardock, who lead a lonely last stand in attempt to save Planet Vegeta). When Vegeta mocks Frieza, claiming that Goku really is a Super Saiyan, the tyrant blasts him through the heart, giving him just seconds to live. Before his death, Vegeta informs Goku that Frieza was responsible for the destruction of the entire Saiyan race, begging him to defeat the tyrant and avenge their people. Goku then makes a grave and buries Vegeta, setting his sights on Frieza himself - preparing for his toughest battle yet.

Goku jumps into battle against Frieza, and quickly proves to be more of a challenge than Frieza thought. The two exchange powerful blows and discover their levels of strength are nearly equal. As our hero and the tyrant attempt to one-up each other, Gohan, Krillin, and Piccolo back away to watch the battle from a safe distance, while Yamcha, Tien, and Chiaotzu watch from King Kai's planet in the afterlife. At one point during the battle, Goku is able to take advantage of Frieza's inability to sense another's presence, but Frieza counters this by trapping Goku in an exploding ball of energy that nearly kills our hero. However, Piccolo claims that even after all this, neither Goku nor Frieza is fighting at full power just yet.

Goku and Frieza's battle continues, with the two pretty evenly exchanging blows. However Goku is in for a shock when he discovers the tyrant has only been using a small amount of his total power. Frieza then boosts his power up to 50%, and Goku is quickly overwhelmed, even with the use of the 10x Kaio-ken. Meanwhile, Bulma meets Captain Ginyu (in a frog's body), and gets her body stolen. The two of them arrive at the battlefield where Goku and Frieza are continuing to duke it out - with Goku quickly outclassed by the powered-up tyrant.

Ginyu tries to steal Piccolo's body, but is foiled by Gohan who throws the frog body back in the way, restoring he and Bulma back to the way they were. Meanwhile, Goku continues to be thrashed by Frieza. However, he sees a vision of how Frieza could destroy everyone he loves - and as a result, he uses the 20x Kaio-ken alongside a massive Kamehameha wave against Frieza. However, even this is not enough to defeat the tyrant, and the use of the 20x Kaio-ken severely weakens Goku. He then has another vision, this time of Vegeta and other Saiyans of the past, including his father Bardock. Motivated once again, he gets back on his feet as Frieza lunges at him.

Despite his renewed confidence, Goku realizes he still has no chance of victory against Frieza, who remains to be using only 50% of his full power. At this point, Goku decides to use his ultimate technique - the Spirit Bomb. With so little ki from living things left to absorb on Namek, Goku absorbs ki from neighboring worlds as well. As he tries to concentrate, Frieza continues to pummel him. Piccolo decides to intervene, taking what energy Gohan and Krillin have left. Before Frieza can obliterate Goku with a beam to the forehead, Piccolo stops him with a full-force kick to the head. The now-distracted Frieza goes after Piccolo, whose attacks do nothing to phase him. The Namekian is quickly floored by Frieza as Goku continues charging the Spirit Bomb.

Goku completes the Spirit Bomb and hurls it down upon Frieza. The tyrant manages to catch it, but is unable to stop it from exploding on him. The Z Fighters celebrate their apparent victory and start making plans to return to Earth. However, Frieza reappears and, though badly damaged from the Spirit Bomb, he is still powerful enough to take them all out. Frieza fires a beam straight at Goku, but Piccolo jumps in the way and takes the beam to the chest, which knocks him unconscious. Frieza next sets his sights on Krillin and causes his body to explode from the inside, killing him. Enraged by the loss of his best friend, Goku undergoes a radical transformation in which his eyes turn green, his hair turns a golden color, and his body is surrounded in an aura of golden light. With his powers now greatly enhanced, Goku orders Gohan to take Piccolo and Bulma to his spaceship and leave Namek, while he handles Frieza.

The transformed Goku renews his battle with Frieza and proves to now be far superior to Frieza's power. Frieza launches several counter-attacks at Goku, but they have no effect at all. As the tyrant stares in awe at his more-powerful opponent, he realizes that his worst nightmare has finally come true - the legendary Super Saiyan has been born. In a desperate attempt to defeat Goku, Frieza hurls an attack down upon Namek itself, in an effort to destroy the planet and everyone on it.

Frieza's attack detonates the planet's core and he claims that Namek will explode in five minutes. Super Saiyan Goku is confident that he can defeat Frieza within that time, however, Frieza then decides to power up to 100% of his full power. Much to King Kai's amazement, Goku allows Frieza to reach his full power, wishing to defeat the tyrant at his best. Meanwhile, Gohan drops off the injured Piccolo at Goku's spaceship and goes to find and pick up Bulma, succeeding just seconds before she is crushed to death by fallen rocks.

As the epic battle between Goku and Frieza rages on the dying planet Namek, King Kai is informed by Kami on Earth that Mr. Popo has gathered all seven dragon balls. Upon learning of the Earth's dragon balls' ability to resurrect multiple people despite being limited to one wish per use, King Kai asks that they be used to bring back to life all those on Namek who were killed by Frieza and his minions, thus also bringing back the Grand Elder (whose natural death was hastened just slightly by all the suffering Frieza had caused his planet), as well as the Namekian dragon balls, which still have one more wish to be used. King Kai plans to use this final wish to teleport everyone on Namek to Earth except for Frieza, leaving the tyrant to be the only one present when Namek explodes. Mr. Popo then summons Shenron and fulfills King Kai's first wish.

Shenron succeeds in resurrecting everyone killed by Frieza and his henchmen on Namek (including Vegeta and Dende), and the Grand Elder and the Namekian dragon balls are also brought back. King Kai immediately contacts the Elder and quickly informs him of the situation. The Elder then sends Dende to Porunga and use the final wish to teleport everyone on Namek to Earth except Frieza. However, Goku requests that he remain on Namek as well, so he can finish Frieza for good. Porunga fulfills this wish and teleports everyone to Earth except Goku and Frieza. The two combatants then prepare themselves for the final round before Namek's explosion.

As the battle continues, it seems neither warrior is going to win before Namek's explosion. However, Goku soon notices that Frieza's power is quickly decreasing, due to his 100% full power taking its toll on his body. Satisfied that he has won, Goku decides to call it quits and begins to depart towards his spaceship. Unable to accept this, Frieza launches a pair of heat-seeking ki disks at Goku. The Super Saiyan manages to avoid this, however, and eventually Frieza is sliced in half by his own attack.

On Earth, the Grand Elder passes away again, but before his death, he gives his power to one of his eldest sons, making him the new Grand Elder, and thereby preserving the power of the Namekian dragon balls. Meanwhile, on Namek, the dying Frieza begs for mercy from Goku. Despite his better judgement, Goku cannot ignore Frieza's pleas for help and gives the tyrant some of his own ki before departing. However, Frieza lets his pride get the better of him and unleashes one final ki blast at Goku, but the Super Saiyan easily repels the blast right back at the tyrant and seemingly destroys Frieza. Goku then attempts to escape in Frieza's spaceship, but is unable to make it take off. Namek finally explodes and it appears that Goku perishes along with the planet.

Following Namek's destruction, King Kai informs Bulma and the others on Earth of Goku's apparent death, and that even though the Namekian dragon balls can resurrect Goku and Krillin, they will be brought back to where Namek used to be and die again in the vacuum of space. However, Vegeta comes up with the idea of using the dragon balls to first bring Goku and Krillin's souls to the Earth's check-in station in the afterlife, from where they can be resurrected on Earth. 130 days after their use on Namek, the Namekian dragon balls become re-active, and the first two wishes are used to successfully revive Krillin; it is revealed that Goku is actually still alive and that he will return to Earth on his own later. Yamcha is then brought back to life with the third wish. Another 130 days later, the Namekian dragon balls are used to revive both Tien and Chiaotzu, and are then used to teleport all of the Namekians (except Piccolo and Kami) to a new planet. The Z Fighters then return to their peaceful lives; waiting patiently for Goku to return.

A year has passed and still Goku has not returned to Earth. However, it is revealed that Frieza managed to survive his battle with the Super Saiyan, has been rebuilt into a cyborg by his father King Cold, and is heading towards Earth, intending to exact revenge on Goku. The rest of the Z Fighters gather to defend the Earth from Frieza, despite knowing the odds are against them. However, as soon as Frieza, King Cold, and their army of soldiers arrive on Earth, they are met by a mysterious teenager wielding a sword, who claims that he's come to kill them.

The mysterious teenager easily takes out Frieza's soldiers, then surprises Frieza by transforming into a Super Saiyan. The evil tyrant attempts to destroy this second Super Saiyan, but has no success. Eventually, the teenager slices Frieza into pieces with his sword, before blasting him away. King Cold tries to defeat the Super Saiyan himself, but is also easily destroyed. After reverting to his normal state, the teenager spots the Z Fighters and claims that Goku will be arriving nearby soon. Despite their skepticism, the Z Fighters agree to join him in awaiting Goku's arrival.

After three hours of waiting, a space pod crash lands on Earth and Goku emerges from it. There is no time for celebration, however, as the mysterious teenager pulls Goku aside to talk with him in private. After testing Goku's Super Saiyan powers, the teenager reveals that his name is Trunks and that he comes from an apocalyptic future 20 years from the present, as well as that he is the future son of Bulma and Vegeta. He further informs Goku that in three years from now, a pair of deadly androids, built by Doctor Gero of the former Red Ribbon Army, will begin a rampage on Earth and kill all of the Z Fighters, except for Goku, who will have died from a heart virus six months before their assault. Trunks then supplies Goku with a heart antidote that Future Bulma made for him, instructing him to take it when the virus attacks him. Goku promises that he and the other Z Fighters will train hard for the next three years to prepare for the androids' assault, and Trunks then returns to the future in his time machine.

At Vegeta's request, Goku explains to the others that he managed to survive Namek's destruction by escaping in one of the Ginyu Force's space pods just seconds before Namek exploded. He further explains that he eventually landed on Planet Yardrat and was nursed back to health by the friendly inhabitants of the planet. He also reveals that he learned from them a special teleportation technique called "Instant Transmission." The Z Fighters then go their separate ways to each begin preparing themselves for the androids' assault. After three years of intense training, they all head off to meet on the island on which Trunks had indicated that the androids would begin their attack.

The Z Fighters (plus Bulma with a young Trunks) gather at the island in anticipation of the androids' attack. However, as the time approaches, Gohan reasons that due to being artificial humans, their enemies have no readable ki and can therefore only be found visually. The fighters then descend into the nearby city to search out their enemies. After a period of searching, Yamcha becomes the first victim of the androids, after being impaled and having his energy absorbed by Android #20. The others arrive just in time to save him, and Goku eventually persuades the androids to move to a new location to fight after a large portion of the city is destroyed.

As Goku, Piccolo and Tien take the androids to a new location to battle, Krillin revives Yamcha with a Senzu bean. However, once Yamcha reveals the androids' ability to absorb energy, Yamcha, Krillin and Gohan head off to warn the others. Meanwhile, it is revealed to Goku that the androids are a result of years of research conducted by Dr. Gero, in which miniature spy robots were used to analyze Goku's fighting techniques and developments in strength, all in an attempt to exact revenge on Goku for destroying the Red Ribbon Army. As a battle ensues between Super Saiyan Goku and Android #19, it becomes evident that Goku is losing the upper hand, especially once the android absorbs the ki from Goku's Kamehameha. Gohan then reveals that Goku never became sick from the heart virus (as was predicted by Trunks), and that it seems to be affecting him now - six months later than predicted. As Goku struggles to fight, the android prepares to finish the battle by absorbing Goku's remaining energy.

Before Android #19 can finish draining Goku's energy, Vegeta finally arrives, saving Goku by kicking the android in the face. Yamcha then escorts Goku away from the battlefield. Vegeta then squares up to the androids, and much to everyone's surprise, transforms into a Super Saiyan. It is revealed that whereas Goku's transformation was triggered by the desire to protect his friends and family, Vegeta's was triggered purely by the desire to become stronger, as well as his anger at being surpassed by Goku. The battle then begins, and it's clear that Vegeta has the edge over Android #19. Even the android's energy absorption attack proves futile, as Vegeta tears off the android's arms, making the technique impossible to use. As the android runs in fear, Vegeta launches his Big Bang Attack and finishes the battle, leaving nothing but the android's head intact. Android #20 then escapes into the nearby cliffs, planning to use the terrain to launch a surprise attack on the fighters.

The Z Fighters split up to search the area for Android #20. Frustrated at his enemy's deceptiveness, Vegeta fires a large ki blast at the cliffs, planning to level the area. Seeing this opportunity, Android #20 emerges from his hiding place, only to absorb Vegeta's blast and run away before Vegeta can catch up. The android then attacks Piccolo from behind and begins to drain his energy, although this is thwarted by Gohan, who senses Piccolo's fading ki and attacks the android. After receiving a senzu bean, Piccolo then faces off against his attacker, and proves to be more than a match for the android. Meanwhile, Trunks finally returns from the future, and is disturbed to find that the remains of Android #19 are different from the androids that he faced in his own timeline. He then arrives at the current battlefield, and also seems not to recognize Android #20. Realizing that he has no chance of victory, Android #20 decides to retreat to his laboratory, but not before launching a huge blast that engulfs most of the area - including Bulma's ship, which plummets towards the ground.

As the dust settles, Android #20 is nowhere to be seen, and it is assumed that he plans to return to the laboratory to awaken Androids #17 and #18 - the androids causing havoc in Trunk's timeline. Meanwhile, Trunks rescues his mother and young self, and berates Vegeta for failing to protect his family. Bulma then reveals that Android #20 may actually be the androids' creator, Doctor Gero, who has seemingly converted himself into one as well. The group then plan to find the lab and destroy the androids before Doctor Gero can activate them. Vegeta also sets off to find the lab, but with the intentions of fighting the androids as a demonstration of his power. Trunks leaves to stop his father, while Piccolo finally unveils the truth of Trunks' origin to the rest of the group. Meanwhile, Piccolo, Krillin and Tien split up and search the mountains where Dr Gero's lab is rumored to be located, while Gohan takes Bulma, baby Trunks and Yajirobe to Goku. Meanwhile, Krillin is attacked by the doctor, but is spared when Gero senses Piccolo nearby and escapes.

Dr. Gero finally makes it to his laboratory, with Krillin in hot pursuit. Tien, Piccolo, Vegeta and Trunks soon locate him and break into the lab, although by this point Doctor Gero has already awakened Androids #17 and #18. Although initially appearing loyal, the duo demonstrate their independence when Android #17 destroys Gero's remote, ensuring that he cannot deactivate them should they disobey him, and Android #18 attempts to activate Android #16 - a fully mechanical model deemed a failure by Dr. Gero. Android #17 then kills Doctor Gero, by severing and then crushing his head. In an act of desperation, Trunks launches a large ki blast at the androids, hoping to destroy Android #16 before he is activated. Although the entire lab is decimated, both Androids and #16's pod remain intact, and he is awakened anyway. The trio then decide to carry out their initial orders, and set out to kill Goku. However, their plans are disrupted when Vegeta intervenes, challenging the three androids to a battle. After Android #16 refuses to fight, Android #18 steps up to face Vegeta.

Android #18 fights with Super Saiyan Vegeta and wins easily. Trunks tries to help his father, but is also easily defeated. Piccolo and Tien then get beaten down effortlessly by Android #17, while Krillin stays behind and watches the horror. After the fight, the androids leave, but before they do #18 kisses Krillin on the cheek. Krillin then goes and feeds everyone Senzu beans. Trunks explains how these androids are much stronger than the ones back in his world. Vegeta flies off in anger having been beaten.

Trunks explains how the Androids back in his world were different. The Androids in this world were much more stronger but they seem to be less cruel and also there wasn't an Android #16. Piccolo flies off to try and convince Kami to fuse with Piccolo as it is the only way to stop the androids however Kami believes that the androids are not all that evil and that the only reason they battled against them was because they fought with them first. Kami then decides to wait and see what happens as Piccolo sits down waiting until Kami agrees to merge with him.

Bulma receives a phone call about one of her company's products from Capsule Corporation. She is sent a photograph of what appears to be Trunks' time machine that he travelled in. Trunks investigates this with the others only to discover that it is the exact time machine that he came in but three years later in his world. He recognizes it because of the word 'Hope' that Bulma wrote on the time machine. Kami realizes that the evil he felt four years ago wasn't the androids but it was the monster that traveled back in the time machine.

Trunks, Gohan, and Bulma are investigating the other time machine when Gohan notices a strange shell that has been cast off by an unknown creature. On the way back to her house, Bulma watches a news broadcast about thousands of people in nearby Gingertown who have inexplicably disappeared, as if they simply melted away in their clothes. Kami also watches in horror as the people are killed, and finally decides to merge with Piccolo. After the merging, Piccolo states that he is neither Piccolo nor Kami anymore, but a Namekian "who has long since forgotten his name." He departs from the lookout and arrives at an empty, ghostly-quiet Gingertown, where the monster steps out of the shadows to confront him.

While staring down Piccolo, the monster pierces the man he had been dragging and appears to absorb him, leaving only his clothing. The others are confused, claiming that the monster is emanating multiple ki readings characteristic of Frieza, Vegeta, and Goku. Krillin and Trunks head toward Gingertown, where Piccolo and the monster begin fighting. Piccolo has the advantage, but is surprised when the monster uses Piccolo's own Makankosappo technique on him. The two exchange blows, and then the monster states that Piccolo only has the upper hand because he [the monster] has not yet reached his "perfect form." He then surprises everyone by powering up a Kamehameha and launching it point-blank. Piccolo's dodge leaves him open to the monster's follow-up attack, which he uses to trap Piccolo in a hold and pierce his arm. Piccolo manages to escape, but his left arm has been completely incapacitated. Sensing he has won, the monster states that his name is Cell and reveals that he was created by Dr. Gero.

Sensing that he has defeated Piccolo, Cell explains that he was created from the cells of the greatest warriors; including Piccolo's, Goku's, Vegeta's, Frieza's and King Cold; as a project started by Dr. Gero and continued for 20 years by Dr. Gero's Super Computer. Cell furthermore reveals that by absorbing Android 17 and Android 18, he will achieve his "perfect form." With the androids destroyed in his own timeline, he was forced to travel to the present one in Trunks' Time Machine. Having learned Cell's identity and intentions, Piccolo Regenerates his arm and prepares to attack. At this point, Future Trunks and Krillin arrive and Cell realizes he has no chance of winning. He surprises everyone by using the Solar Flare technique, and then flees. Vegeta and Tien arrive, and Piccolo explains everything he has learned. Meanwhile, Cell heads toward Nicky Town to absorb more people, until his power exceeds that of the androids.

After Piccolo has finished explaining, Vegeta flies off stating that he wants to surpass the power of a Super Saiyan. Trunks and Krillin go to Dr. Gero's laboratory to destory the incomplete Cell so he will not be born in their dimension while Piccolo and Tien stay behind to search the surroundings. Trunks and Krillin arrive and blast the pile of rubble with their ki and discover a ladder which leads underneath the laboratory into a room containing the computer and the incomplete Cell. They search around and discover the blueprints for Android #17 then after they make sure to destroy all of the laboratory and the basement. Krillin takes the prints to Bulma's house while Trunks decides to go and train with Vegeta. Krillin delivers the prints leaving Bulma and her father to start finding a weak spot on Android #17. Krillin, taking a short-cut back to Master Roshi's house, encounters Cell who is just about to absorb his next victims, arriving in the nick of time to save them. Krillin, being no match for Cell, tells the civilians to escape, then uses the Solar Flare technique to blind Cell in an attempt to escape by grabbing on to a plane, but Cell quickly recovers and jumps on top of the plane and starts attacking Krillin again. Just when it seems hopeless for Krillin, Piccolo and Tien arrive to save Krillin. Cell, sensing their arrival, flees while hiding his presence so no one can track him. 3 days later, the news continues to report about Cell's killings. Everyone decides to ride in a hovercraft to reach Cell so that he will not be able to sense them approaching him. Back at Kame House there is a loud rumble causing Chi-Chi to go and check on Goku but on arrival sees Goku is gone. She looks out of the window and sees that Goku is outside and that it was Goku making the loud noise by performing the Kamehameha technique. Goku tells Chi-Chi that he has fully recovered from the illness and that he knows everything that is going on because he read everyone's minds while he was dreaming but says that he plans on training to surpass a Super Saiyan before going off to fight Cell.

Goku uses his instant transmission to take Gohan, Vegeta, and Trunks with him to the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. The room only has a capacity of two so Goku allows Vegeta and Trunks to go in first. Goku explains a years worth of training in that room is actually only one day in the outside world. When Trunks and Vegeta step inside the room, all they see is a vast amount of nothingness. While this is going on, the Androids arrive at Master Roshi's house and ask for Goku's whereabouts. Piccolo refuses to tell them which results in a fight between Piccolo and Android #17. Piccolo overpowers Android #17 and tries to finish him off but Android #17 manages to dodge the attack. Back at the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Vegeta and Trunks are due to be coming out of the room any second now which will reveal if it is possible to go beyond a Super Saiyan.

Bulma is hard at work trying to figure out Dr. Gero's prints. Meanwhile, Piccolo and Android #17 are fighting each other. After Android #17 gets serious it turns out that he and Piccolo are evenly matched. Cell senses the two fighting and starts making his way towards them stating that his power level is now higher than theirs. Krillin, and the others on a nearby island, receive a call from Bulma saying that she has completed the switch to shut down the Androids and starts bringing it over. Android #17 states that since his stamina will never drop, he will be the victor of the battle. However, Cell arrives at the scene of the battle leaving Piccolo shocked. Meanwhile, Goku and Gohan are still waiting for Vegeta and Trunks to come out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber.

Krillin decides that Bulma is taking too long to deliver the switch to turn off the androids, so he decides to go and fly there himself to retrieve it as it will be quicker. Piccolo informs Android 17 of Cell's quest to absorb him and Android 18 to achieve his perfect form. He warns 17 to run away, but he refuses to, leading Piccolo to try and fight Cell. But Cell proves too powerful for him and ends up defeating him. Meanwhile, Goku and Gohan are still waiting for Vegeta and Trunks to come out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Gohan senses that Piccolo is in trouble and tries to rush down to help him, but Goku stops him, saying that he is not powerful enough.

As Cell attempts to absorb Android 17, Android 16 steps up to fight Cell, stating that they have almost equal power. Android 16 rips Cell's tail off so that he can't absorb the androids. But Cell, having Piccolo's DNA, is able to regenerate it. 16 then fires his powerful move Hell's Flash, temporarily stunning Cell. While Cell is underground, Android 17 says he'll finish the job. But Cell sneaks up behind him and absorbs him, reaching his Semi-Perfect form. After sitting on the sidelines for a while, Tien fires a Tri-Beam at Cell so that Android 18 can escape.

Tien uses his Tri-Beam technique on Cell continuously, allowing Android 18 and Android 16 to escape. When Tien has reached his limit and unable to move, Goku appears and rescues both him and Piccolo back to Kami's lookout where Vegeta and Trunks finally step out of the Hyperbolic Time Chamber finishing their training. Trunks tells Goku how Vegeta already surpassed the limits on a Super Saiyan in the first two months but he was not satisfied so they carried on training. Krillin bumps into Bulma who delivers him the remote to switch off the androids and then Krillin instructs Bulma to go to Kami's lookout to go and deliver them battle clothes. Vegeta and Trunks make their way towards Cell after wearing the gear while Goku and Gohan prepare to go inside for their turn to train. Meanwhile, Cell is destroying islands in a bid to make Android 18 show herself.

Cell continues to destroy islands until he reaches the final one containing Android 16 and Android 18. Just when Cell was charging up his attack, Vegeta arrives along with Future Trunks. Cell presumes that he will be fighting both Vegeta and Trunks but Vegeta states that Trunks is only a spectator and transforms into Super Vegeta. Meanwhile Goku and Gohan enter the Hyperbolic Time Chamber to start their own training.

Goku continues to train Gohan, who is still trying to achieve Super Saiyan form. Meanwhile Vegeta effortlessly pushes Cell around and beats him up. Cell curses at how if he was able to absorb Android 18 then he will become his perfect form and be able to defeat Vegeta easily even when he is in his Ascended Super Saiyan form. Cell persuades Vegeta into letting him absorb Android 18 because Vegeta would like to fight Cell in his perfect form as Saiyans love fighting. Not far away, Krillin decides not to destroy Android 18 with the emergency shutdown controller because he feels sorry for her how she used to be a human and also because she kissed him.

Cell successfully persuades Vegeta to let him find and absorb Android #18, but Trunks is determined to prevent this and delivers his own beating to Cell. During a break in the action, Cell spots the androids and Krillin, who are distracted by their own awkward meeting. Vegeta attempts to keep Trunks from interfering, forcing Trunks to attack his own father in order to prevent him from allowing Cell to reach his perfect form. While this is going on, Cell is savoring the moment and leisurely going about picking off Android #16 and Krillin. Despite their best efforts and a sound beating from Trunks, Cell is ultimately able to blind everyone via the Solar Flare, absorb #18, and achieve his perfect form.

Gohan asks Goku to be serious in his training, so Goku transforms into a Super Saiyan and hesitantly fires a Kamehameha wave on Gohan. Gohan thinks of all the times he has let his friends down and gets angry, resulting into him finally turning into a Super Saiyan himself. Back at the battlefield, Vegeta disregards Cell's perfect form as nothing special and he is just the same as before. Meanwhile, Krillin is angry for letting Cell absorb Android 18, so he charges towards Cell and attempts to attack him by using his Destructo Disk technique, but the attack has no effect whatsoever. Cell then easily kicks Krillin to one side, leaving him almost dead, but Trunks rushes to his aid and feeds him a Senzu bean, saving him from near death. Vegeta starts his fight with Cell and after a short while he soon realizes Cell's power far exceeds his own. In the background, Krillin and Trunks are talking about how Trunks has hidden his own true power, one even greater than Vegeta's but kept secret from him due to Vegeta's towering pride. Trunks plans to fight Cell when Vegeta is unconscious in order to hide his powers from Vegeta to prevent his father from losing his pride.

Desperate to kill Cell, Vegeta resorts to using his ultimate attack Final Flash. Vegeta calculates his attack and avoids destroying the entire Earth and also manages to take off Cell's right arm. But with Piccolo's genes, Cell easily regenerates his arm. Cell knocks Vegeta unconscious and Trunks takes this chance to unleash his hidden powers onto Cell. Trunks momentarily lets Cell push him around a little in order to create a chance for Krillin to take the unconscious Vegeta to a safe location. Now that Vegeta is gone, Trunks and Cell can begin their real fight.

Trunks and Cell seem to be evenly matched at first but after a while Trunk's attack cease to hit Cell so Trunks decides to power up even more but he is still unable to connect his attacks to hit Cell. Goku manages to power up to the same level of power as Trunks but decides not to use that form because in order to achieve that form, even though great power is gained, Goku concluded the decrease in speed is too much (due to the large muscles) and having power but not being able to hit your opponent is useless so he decides to opt for his normal Super Saiyan form. This turns out to be the same reason why Trunks cannot defeat Cell. Cell learns that Goku is training to defeat him so in order to waste time he decides to hold a martial arts tournament where anyone can enter to fight him.

When Krillin and Vegeta arrive, Trunks informs everyone of the Martial Arts Tournament held by Cell. Android #16 asks to be taken back to Capsule Corporation where he can be fixed. Bulma also notifies everyone at Kami's house to go there too to meet up. After Cell finishes making his tournament he then heads off to a news station to broadcast his message via television announcing details about his tournament the Cell Games and if that all the warriors lose to him, he will kill every single last human being. Meanwhile Goku and Gohan are still training.

The people of Earth are in a panic after Cell's announcement of the Cell Games. Meanwhile, Goku and Gohan finish their training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. Goku immediately requests that Mr. Popo prepare a meal and Trunks explains the latest Cell developments. Goku then teleports to the site of the Cell Games and confronts Cell. After returning to the lookout, Goku announces he and Gohan will not be entering the Hyperbolic Time Chamber again. Instead, for the remaining nine days until the Cell Games, they will train in the real world. Goku and Gohan then fly to Kame House and greet their remaining friends.

As Piccolo completes his training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber and Vegeta takes his place, Goku and Gohan are spending their days relaxing at home. Meanwhile, Earth's Military attempts to launch an offensive strike against Cell, but they are completely wiped out. Hearing about this over the radio, Goku asks Piccolo if it is possible to separate with Kami, so he can use the Dragon Balls to revive all the people Cell killed (as they disappeared since they fused together). Since Piccolo can't separate, Goku theorizes that he can convince another Namekian to stay on Earth and create a new set of Dragon Balls, and goes to find King Kai so he can find the Namekians.

After getting help from King Kai in locating the planet where the Namekians are staying, Goku travels there and explains the situation. The Grand Elder offers Dende to be the new Kami, and Goku takes him back to Earth. Dende revives the Dragon Balls, revealing that this time they can use two wishes. During the ten days leading up to the Cell Games, Goku searches for the newly awakened Dragon Balls, Vegeta and the others finish their training and a martial arts champion, Hercule, steps up to fight Cell. On the day of the Cell Games, it is revealed that if the new Dragon Balls are used to revive a mass of people, people who have died before won't be revived. Despite the others' concern, Goku remains positive and they all head towards the Cell Games.

As Mr. Satan hypes himself in front of the media, Vegeta, Android #16, Goku and the others arrive at the stage. Mr. Satan insists he goes before him first, though when his students Calorie and Piroshiki arrive, he allows them to go first, but they are defeated without Cell needing to move. Mr. Satan tries to intimidate Cell by breaking some tiles and then goes on the attack, but Cell knocks him out of the ring with a single blow, not even bothering to kill him. Cell wishes to take on a proper opponent, and Goku steps into the ring.

Super Saiyan Goku and Cell begin to fight and, despite putting on an impressive performance, Gohan and Vegeta both realize that neither is using his full power yet. Both fighters then raise their ki to their maximum. After a brief battle, Cell begins to attack using techniques 'inherited' from other characters--first Tien's Multi-Form technique, then Piccolo's Makankosappo, and finally Frieza's heat-seeking ki disk attack. When Goku overcomes each of these techniques, Cell prepares a full-power Kamehameha capable of destroying the Earth. Goku diverts the attack away from the planet by taking to the sky, and then uses Instant Transmission to escape back to the ring.

The battle between Goku and Cell continues, with the two fighters reaching a pace that is barely visible to most of the onlookers. Cell then decides to destroy the tournament ring, ensuring that their battle isn't ended by a ring out and can continue until one of them either dies or surrenders. The battle becomes even more intense, culminating with Goku flying high into the sky building up a powerful Kamehameha. Cell and everyone else states that Goku is bluffing, since from his position in the sky, such an attack would easily destroy the Earth. Goku then unexpectedly uses Instant Transmission to teleport in front of Cell and executes the attack point-blank. While the rest of the world celebrates what they believe to be Cell's ultimate defeat, Goku and company watch as Cell's remaining lower half rises and regenerates his missing parts. While the ki of both fighters has depleted considerably, the battle continues on.

Despite everyone's hopes, Goku's energy barrage fails to kill Cell. Furthermore, it is clear to Piccolo and Vegeta that Cell still has more power to go, while Goku has spent the last of his own. With all eyes and ears glued to this moment of truth for Goku's mysterious plan, the battle-worn Super Saiyan surprises everyone by surrendering. Adding further shock, he announces that Gohan will be the next and last contestant to fight Cell. Piccolo and Krillin protest this decision, but Gohan agrees and takes Cell on. Gohan impresses everyone with his power--which proves indeed to be on par with Goku's--but nevertheless finds himself on the losing side of the fight against Cell.

Super Saiyan Gohan shows no willingness to fight, and tries to convince Cell to end the Cell Games by explaining that if his hidden powers are brought to the surface, he will lose control and kill Cell. Counter to Gohan's intentions, this actually intrigues Cell, who decides to deliberately enrage Gohan by inflicting enough pain to force him to unleash his true strength. After watching Gohan take Cell's punishment, Android #16 intervenes. Taking advantage of the fact that he emits no detectable ki, #16 grabs Cell from behind and declares that he is going to trigger his self-destruct bomb.

Unfortunately, Krillin reveals that while repairing #16, Bulma removed his bomb, which renders his intervention futile. Cell quickly breaks free of #16's hold, causing his body to shatter - leaving only his head intact. When Cell realizes his attempts at physical intimidation are failing, he devises a plan to attack the ones that are closest to Gohan by spawning seven offspring - the Cell Jr.'s. Gohan's reluctance reaches its limit, and #16 asks Hercule to carry him over to Gohan to talk to him. #16 explains to Gohan what to fight for, and that it is okay to unleash his anger to save those that he loves. After hearing his words of encouragement, Cell takes his foot and crushes #16's head. Seeing this is ultimately the last straw for Gohan, who finally releases his rage and ascends to the Super Saiyan 2 level.

After witnessing the death of Android #16 at the hands of Cell, Gohan's anger is ignited and causes him ascend to the level of Super Saiyan 2. Cell is excited that the fight will be more interesting, but Gohan is not amused and snatches the stolen Senzu beans from Cell. Gohan then proceeds to take on all of the Cell Juniors, proving himself impervious to their attacks and effortlessly destroying them. He then throws the Senzu beans to Trunks, who distributes them to his injured comrades. Gohan now focuses his attention on Cell, and from the onset of the battle, it is clear that Gohan holds the advantage.

Cell finally unleashes his full power against Gohan, but even at maximum strength his attacks have no effect on the Super Saiyan 2. After being easily bested in battle, Cell attempts to destroy Gohan and the Earth with a giant Kamehameha, but Gohan produces an even larger wave and deflects the attack with ease. As the rest of the fighters predict an easy victory, Goku recalls that even in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Gohan displayed strength far beyond that of a normal Super Saiyan. He then tells Gohan to deliver the finishing blow to Cell, but Gohan insists that Cell must suffer first. Cell then utilizes his bulked-up form, but the increase in muscle mass lowers his speed greatly and as a result none of his attacks connect with Gohan - who counters with a single blow to the stomach, causing Cell to regurgitate Android #18 and revert back to his semi-perfect form. As the fighters assume that this means victory for Gohan, Cell's body begins to expand to a gigantic size.

In a desperate attempt to destroy Earth, Cell begins to self-destruct. With mere seconds left, Goku says goodbye to his son and teleports himself and Cell to King Kai's planet, the only safe place he could think of. Upon arrival, Cell finally explodes, destroying the planet and killing everyone there. As Gohan and the rest of the Z Fighters are left on Earth to grieve, Goku and King Kai realize that Cell hasn't accompanied them to the Other World, and therefore must have survived the explosion. Using Goku's Instant Transmission technique, Cell returns to Earth, where he kills Trunks with a single blast through the chest. He then reveals that not only did his nucleus survive the explosion, but he was able to regenerate into his perfect form - and thanks to his Saiyan genetics, he is far stronger than ever before. Enraged by the death of his son, Vegeta unleashes a furious barrage of ki blasts at Cell, but is easily defeated and is only saved from certain death when Gohan intercepts Cell's blast and takes the full force of the attack. With Gohan injured and nobody left to challenge him, Cell prepares one final Kamehameha to destroy Gohan and the Earth once and for all.

Cell continues to charge his Kamehameha, and reveals that not only has he gathered enough energy to destroy the Earth, but he also now has the potential to destroy the entire solar system with this blast. Meanwhile, Vegeta apologizes to Gohan for his recklessness. As Gohan and the others watch on hopelessly, Goku contacts his son from the Other World via King Kai's telepathy and tells him that even in his injured state he has the potential to defeat Cell. Reinvigorated, Gohan prepares a final, one-handed Kamehameha to repel Cell's blast. As the two warriors struggle to overpower each other, Piccolo, Tien, Yamcha, and Krillin bombard Cell with ki blasts in a knowingly futile attempt to help, but are easily repelled. As Goku coaxes Gohan to release his full power against Cell, Vegeta returns to the battlefield and launches one final Big Bang Attack, which temporarily distracts Cell. Seeing the opportunity, Gohan finally releases his full strength and overpowers Cell's wave, obliterating Cell and saving the Earth from destruction. Gohan has won and the Cell Games are finally over.

After Cell's defeat, Gohan and the others return to Kami's Lookout. Hercule, however, takes credit for defeating Cell, and the public celebrates Hercule's "victory." At the Lookout, Dende heals Gohan of his injuries and then summons Shenron. The first wish is used to successfully revive everyone killed by Cell, including Trunks. However, Goku cannot be revived, as Shenron has already brought him back to life once before. Dende suggests they can use the Namekian dragon balls, but at that moment, Goku contacts them from Other World through King Kai once more. Goku claims that he wishes to remain dead, believing that the Earth will be safer without him. With that, Goku bids his son and friends a final fond farewell. Krillin then asks Shenron to use the second wish to remove the bombs from inside Androids #17 and #18. The Z Fighters go their separate ways, and Gohan informs a heartbroken Chi-Chi of Goku's fate. The next day, Trunks bids farewell to everyone and begins his journey back to the future. As Trunks departs in his time machine, Gohan is seen smiling at his father's spirit in the sky.

Trunks returns to the future and is reunited with Bulma. As tranquility seems to return, it is announced that the Androids are attacking again. Thanks to his training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber, Trunks easily destroys Androids #17 and #18. Three years later, Trunks prepares to head back into the past to tell everyone of his victory. However, there is still one more android to stop: Cell. With #17 and #18 gone, Trunks kills the weaker Imperfect Cell and peace finally is restored to the future. Back in the present, Goku begins his new "life" in the Other World.